Beware of the monsters that may be hiding in the dark waters. These monsters may have been created by our own thoughts and fears over time. They emerge from time to time to frighten and overwhelm us. It's possible that we are unknowingly nourishing these monsters deep within our minds. They rise to the surface to feed on our anxiety, which they can sense from the depths of the dark waters. We may be uncertain about how to deal with them, but it may be time to confront and overcome them.
They come to find us when they hear us struggling in the dark waters, like some biblical Jonah, they may swallow us whole. We may be forced to live in the great fish’s belly for a time. Perhaps we were thrown into the waters because a storm came upon us and we were not equipped to handle what was happening. It can start out small at first and then snowball into a great fish whose mouth reaches from the earth to the sky. With a bit of resilience and luck, we might be able to survive being swallowed.
In the end, we might be better off for having been swallowed. We may return as heroes. At the very least, we will have learned how to minimize the damage and fight against the deep-sea monsters. Being devoured has made us stronger and wiser. Perhaps we can even share our knowledge to help others survive. We can leave a guide for others, show them how to fight or create a map. We may not win every battle, but each encounter teaches us something new about the monsters and about ourselves.
What dark monsters are in your dark waters? What causes them to swim to the surface, looking to devour you? How do you fight the monsters from the deep? Were you responsible for growing the monster that resurfaced and swallowed you alive? I hope that you are able to fight a few monsters today and live another day to talk about it. Know you are not alone. There are guides that show up there next to the dark pools to help you cross or navigate the waters. I hope you overcome a few monsters today.
“The monster wrenched and wrestled with him
but Beowulf was mindful of his mighty strength,
the wondrous gifts God had showered on him:
he relied for help on the Lord of All,
on His care and favor. So he overcame the foe,
brought down the hell-brute.”
– Beowulf, Seamus Heaney (trans.) Lines 1269-1274.
The first paragraph particularly hit me so much! I can sense how my monsters come out of nowhere to irritate me even more when I am anxious.
Thankyou for the post, Al.