“Memphis: Whatcha doing there, boy?
Mumble: I’m happy, Pa.
Memphis: Whatcha doing with your feet?
Mumble: They’re happy, too.”
(Dialogue, Happy Feet (2006))
With the weekend gone by, the after effect of movie night saw a number of penguins popping up as cartoons, drawings, flapping of wings and the tapping of feet, all done by the toddler in the house. The current penguin fascination was the consequence of “Happy Feet (2006)” night, a story revolving around penguins, tap dancing, music, fishing and humans.
What struck in the heart, as the movie scenes flashed intermittently in the mind, was the potential of what one can do as long as we find our feet and let it carry us through the path. For every step that the foot places, it takes us somewhere; but when the feet stay idle time moves on and the path is never travelled.
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” Lao Tzu
As one looks over the years, true potential can never be realized only by speculating but by taking the first step as well. While for every step, there may be a thousand doubts, fears, worries and anxiety of the future; it is taking that first step and doing what one loves that makes all the difference.
To find one’s true form, one has to learn to dance, walk, run, fall down and climb out; all done so as a part of life. It may take time to attain the perfect dream, but going ahead in small steps with feet firm on ground, along the path would help us find the dreams and above all, be contented from within. Dreams do make a big part of life, but finding them and losing out on the happiness, peace, love and contentment doesn’t make way for happy days. As the pictures of penguins and waddle walks are doing their rounds in the house, one is reminded of being happy and finding contentment in life of the present.
“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.” Thich Nhat Hanh
What Have I Done With My Feet
Melissa Bachara
What have I done with my feet?
They have been here as long as I remember
Carrying me soundly
To Kindergarten when I was only five
Despite my fear and tight black patent leather shoes.
What have I done with my feet?
Soft and strong,
They frolicked with me across summertime grass
Until they blended into the hues of green
They cleaned up just fine in a Mr. Bubble bath
Despite what my mother said.
What have I done with my feet?
They danced in my first shiny high-heeled shoes
With a boy whose face I vaguely remember
Who held me close and made me feel beautiful
Despite stepping on my feet now and then.
What have I done with my feet?
In white canvas Converse All-Stars
They boarded a plane to Texas
Ready to help me walk down bigger roads
Despite my small town roots and the $200 in my pocket.
What have I done with my feet?
Nails polished to perfection,
They carried me down the white aisle
Never tripping over my fears
Despite their knowledge that I was trading
My independence for a compromise
What have I done with my feet?
I stand at the beginning of a new and foreign road,
Baggage up to my ears and looking for my feet
Immobile, I wait for those reliable feet to move me forward
Despite my doubts and reservations
Knowing I will move forward
If only I could find my feet.
(Poetry Forum, December 29, 2003)
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