Philotimo True Story 003

It's All Atoms
by Gary R. Smith

A choice in the moment to
let go of resistance or judgment
is an act of philotimo.

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The setting of the story is similar to this.

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At the Banjos in Alhama de Granada, the hot springs in the Spanish countryside flow out of the hills into three tiers of rock-lined pools, then into an icy stream.

I was enjoying the relaxing warmth of the lower pool when I noticed that a large woman in the upper pool was shaving the hair under her arms, and the hairs were floating in the current to the lower pools.

My first body reaction was to tighten in resistance. Then the words rose inside me, "It's all atoms." I relaxed and allowed that to sink in, giving assent, and expanded beyond the pools with the realization that the atoms of the underarm hairs are no more repulsive than the leaves and the earth. It was only the meaning that I had given it, based on old patterns, that had caused the reaction.

The charge of the resistance was gone. I could embrace the whole, and enjoy my time in the hot pool.

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In the rolling countryside where we were in southern Spain,
people go to natural pools to soak and ease their pain.

Hot springs gush from the mountain and pools form into three tiers.
It seems these mineral waters wash away the dirt and fears.

For on a Sunday morning we visited the pools
and folks were in the water, these people are no fools.

We were in a lower pool with people up above,
and as water streamed from them I was thinking of

the fact we got the water of two pools where people soaked
and I kept one eye on them as they sat and laughed and joked.

I enjoyed the country freshness of the Spanish morning air
until I saw a woman shave under arm her hair.

And somehow I was bothered that the hairs were flushing down
into my pool of water and then were floating ‘round.

But as my indignation rose up in my self-defense,
I heard my inner voice say “Let go of your pretense.

“Relax and feel your body and enjoy the natural beauty
remember It’s All Atoms and fighting’s not your duty.

“Don’t judge the heavy woman as she shaves her underarm
the hairs are also atoms and they will do no harm.”

And as my judgment eased something magical occurred.
The songs of songbirds lifted, ones before I had not heard.

I saw the light upon the water, heard the sound of waterfall
and the colors were much brighter, I was more present to it all.

And from that day whenever my resistance tries to rise,
I remember It’s All Atoms, and see life with laughing eyes.

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