The Woman on the Mountain - Top (a Writing Challenge)
The Wind Beneath My Wings
This is my first writing challenge on Hubpages. I thought long and hard about taking billybucs (Bill Hollands) writing challenge. I just wasn't sure I'd be able to do justice to the lovely photo of The Woman On The Mountain Top (Bev, Bills wife.)
My own self-doubt and lack of confidence bubbled into a lather washing my last bit of courage away. Then as the day progressed I found myself mentally repeating Bill's words. "This is an exercise for writers." Okay. So this is an opportunity for me to grow as a writer. I've got to do this. I'm a teacher and I realize the value of exercises. For me they are the building blocks to knowledge.
So, with humility, I begin my story with thanks to Bill for being 'The Wind Beneath My Wings.'
Act I - Where Is Love?
She hikes to the top of the mountain. Here, she breathes in the magnificence of the incredible view before her. She can see forever. The glorious beauty before her is breath-taking. She inhales the earth song wanting to lock it's symphony inside, keeping it for another day and time.
She cries out to the mountain, "What is my purpose here on earth? Why am I here? I have no talents, no gifts to give. I'm not smart or rich. I have nothing to give. I have made a mess of my life and now I live with the choices I have made."
Her mind races back in time as a brief glance of her life plays out the variety of roles she has starred in. Like a three-act-play, Act 1 focuses on her childhood, and dealing with an unresolved need to feel loved.
Her mother was a genius with an astounding mind. And though this woman carried an endless well of compassion for others, there was little to give to the child who would walk to the ends of the earth for even a tiny speck of it. But her mother lived with the shame and guilt of being mistreated in her own childhood. The mental illness that she, herself, could not understand or recognize was a form of torture for her family.
And what about her father? Well, as sweet a man as he was, he more or less sat back and watched the whole show. Oh, there were times when he stepped up to the plate and stopped the abuse. These times were few and far between. Still, she loved him so much.
The young girl prayed for love from her mother. Where is love?
Act II - A Search For Love
Her search for love continued through her teen years and into adulthood. With three marriages under her belt, she had had enough. There was nothing left to give. With her children by her side, she went on to begin her life, this time, on her own terms. And that did not include another husband. She never married again.
A voice came out of nowhere. Soft, yet powerful, echoing through the clouds and bouncing from mountain to mountain, tree to tree and valley to valley. "You have an important purpose here on earth. Your journey has been long and hard in order to build strength of character." The mountain speaks only truth and light. She trusted these words and felt the sting of truth within her very being.
But what has strength of character to do with my purpose here in this life she wondered?
Act III
She wanted to hear the voice of the mountain again. She ached for an answer to her question, "what is my purpose here and where do I find love?" Somehow she felt that her purpose and finding love was one-in-the-same.
As the brief glance of her life came to a close, tears of regret filled her aging eyes. A cold chill gripped her body. Just as she was wishing she had brought along a jacket, a warm gentle wind surrounded her entire being.
Then the mountain spoke. "Your purpose here in this life is to grow. Nothing in nature ever stops growing. Even in the winter, there's always a dawning nature in what appears to be the sunset of life for many living things."
Growth in your life, as in nature, comes from a process of maturing through the seasons of your life. Each day, as you grow older, you're in a constant state of personal growth from the personal changes you make, the risks you take, the challenges you face, the decisions you make, the setbacks you suffer, the illnesses and injuries you heal and grow stronger from, and the new experiences you have.
The Greatest Love Of All.
"Nature teaches you to grow through all the seasons of your life. I, too have grown through storms, and the natural progression of the years. I, too have suffered pain, abuse, and neglect from mankind.
Give up your growth, and your muscles, your mind and your spirit will atrophy and die. You must continue to grow. Spring is never very far away in your life, my dear. Live through each winter and let your spirit soar. Begin now to prepare for the new growth that awaits you."
Thinking that the mountain had finished, she began to make preparations to leave. "Wait...I'm not quite finished. You have spent your whole life searching for love. Oh, dearest lady. you've been looking in the wrong place. The love you seek is not found in other people, neither is it found in things.
The greatest love of all is right inside of you. YOU are love. Find that love, feel it, cherish it and become one with it. And when you have discovered this love, go, and share it with others."
And so it is.
Each One Of Us Stands On A Mountain Top
We all, at one time or another, stand on our own mountain top. Maybe it's a time to reflect or perhaps to give thanks and gratitude for a specific blessing or experience. As we stand on our mountain top we can survey with a stronger sense of awareness our own weaknesses.
Like colors on an artist's canvas we are open to our own feelings and allow them to flow freely. We become closer to truth. Feelings must not be judged Feelings are not subject to interpretation or judgment. They just are.
Here, on our mountain, we can express who we are. We can connect with and feel our sense of purpose. It is here that we internalize self-love so that we can love others. We know that the true power in the universe is a totally peaceful power. It is the power of love, totally, freely and joyfully felt.
Resource
You Can Have It All - A simple guide to a joyful and abundant life. Arnold M. Patent
© 2014 Audrey Hunt
Comments
This is one of the best pieces I've ever read. I love the way you use sub-headings to lead us on and the flow is superb. Your choice of words is exquisite... well, I could go on using superlatives but it would take up too much room!
Great response to Bill's challenge. You certainly are a wonderful writer and you should have more confidence in yourself. It is difficult to stretch our boundaries but, as you say, we are writers and that's what we do.
Have a great day!
Ann
Hi Aubrey you embraced this challenge by writing an inspiring love story with a great message. Well done.
Oh my gosh, how I love this story, especially the last part. What an inspiring and uplifting message. It's so true - love does begin within.
Oh Audrey,
You have outdone yourself with this beautiful story which is filled with so much wisdom and inspiration.
The ending brought me to my feet in a standing ovation!
Thanks for pushing through your self-doubt to create this story that does the breathtaking photo of Bill Holland's wife, Bev, justice.
Voted up across the board except for funny and shared.
Sending Love & Hugs Across the Miles,
Gail
Stunning! Your words are as stunningly beautiful as the picture itself. I cannot fathom why you doubted yourself or hesitated to accept this challenge dear friend. I can't say enough what beauty this hub exudes.
"YOU are love", a lesson for us all that you taught so well. The songs you chose are so perfect! This is certainly a five star hub.
Voted all but funny and shared.
Dear Audrey,
You have inspired me beyond belief both by accepting this challenge and with the powerful lessons you have shared in this beautifully crafted story.
I have written you an e-mail and hope to hear from you as you have time.
Voted UP and UABI and sharing. Love and hugs, Maria
This is an absolutely lovely piece of work, Audrey, and I know it was written from your loving heart as well as your intelligent mind. You ARE love - never doubt it for a minute. I have spoken!
A wonderful thought from you. You have created an interesting read. Your message is loud and clear.
Beautiful writing Audrey! so profound, and a great addition to these amazing challenges! loved it!
Absolutely profound and thought-provoking story, vocalcoach! I always had an urge to be on a mountain top whenever I had a serious question like 'what is the purpose of love', and amazing how the mountain - and the heaven above - give us the answers we need.
The purpose is indeed to learn and to grow/mature. I feel so sorry for people who have stopped growing/maturing even before 20. They have no idea what they are missing. If we are today still the person we were last year this time, we should know that we are in trouble. Things that don't grow are dying and sometimes already dead.
Voted up and beautiful :)
I loved this story ... so inspiring. Thanks for writing!
A beautiful hub, feeling like reading the same again and again my friend. Every word was greatly compiled with dedication. Thank you for such an amazing hub.
What a great response to Bill's challenge Audrey! Gorgeous!
This is a very inspiring story, Audrey. It's a great interpretation of Bill's photo and a lovely contribution to the challenge!
Audrey, this is beautiful. And what a profound message! You can add to it by never doubting yourself. You did a wonderful job of this challenge. Your heart came through on this one. Very touching, my friend.
Beautiful message here, dear Audrey. So true, when we learn to love ourselves, then we are able to love others, even those who are hardest to love.
The mountain is wise in this piece.
Up ++++ and away
Peace
Lovely response to Bill's photo and writing challenge. You are so right-we have to find the love within ourselves and love ourselves first. Wonderful message. I enjoyed reading this.
You have written a beautiful and wise story. I think you accepted the challenge and excelled. Congrates!
Beautiful! The mountain you have climbed has led you to a discovery of who you truly are!
HA!! and if only I could SING! do re mi fa sol la ti do.....Did you just hear that chicken clucking??
LOL....you're too sweet!
Excellent piece on love and what it means to each of us. glad you took up the challenge.
Oh Audrey, this is beautifully written. It touched me deeply! Why would you ever doubt about being a writer? You are a gifted story teller, your words penetrate into the very being of the soul, at least that's what this piece did for me. Thank you for taking the challenge into a deeper meaning of life, struggles, then spiritual release. Wonderful...
Your hesitation to write this was unwarranted my friend. This is a beautiful message written with love. Simply stunning work and I am so proud to add it to my collection.
The love in a writer will always show through in their writing, if they allow their heart to pen the work. You did!
love,
bill
Audrey....Thank you so much for this beautiful piece. You have echoed the thoughts that this photo has always brought to my mind. The first time I saw it, I could place myself there, asking the Universe all the questions that swirl in our mind as we go through life.....looking, searching & wondering.
This is the picture of serenity and deep contemplation. You have captured the essence with perfection. The perfection I've come to see in your heart, Audrey......UP++++pinned & tweeted
" The love you seek is not found in other people..........YOU are love". What a great message of love, and of recognizing the value of one's own beautiful self.
Audrey Hunt, this kind of sense takes a very long time to take roots in one's mind. I love your beautiful writing. A great response to Bill's challenge.
These are such powerful and inspiring thoughts ! Voted up and shared.
A wonderful story Audrey.
There are many lessons for all of us to learn within your story. The lessons start with getting to know yourself and finding out who you are.
Ghaelach
I agree with the comment above Audrey. Beautiful and I vote up , across and share.
Eddy.
What an inspiring story!
You are so right-----we must first find love within ourselves, share it with others and spread it as much as we can!
Remember the Sun does not shine for itself!
The trees do not provide shelter to themselves!
The water does not quench its own thirst!
A beautiful and motivational response to the challenge!
Voted up and shared!
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