The Parable of the Watch

© Copyright 2007 The Now Watch

There once was a girl who sensed she had some hugely important reason for coming to this world and being in this life.

She loved to write poetry and stories and eventually interpreted the meaning of that sense of a big reason as a call to become the next Stephen King or J.R.R. Tolkien. So she wrote and she wrote. She wrote dozens of stories, poems and even a novel; submitting her work to various magazines and publishing houses.

She found a watch in Writer’s Digest magazine that had a caricature of Tolkien on the front, large and cartoon-ish and she put that watch out in front of herself saying, when I finally publish a story I will buy that watch and it will be my outer symbol of success.

She received dozens of very nice and often encouraging rejection letters and the situation which she had created in her head to achieve her symbolized success never came about. In fact, too hurt to continue with it, she got away from writing altogether for a time.

Years later she unconsciously picked it up again, issuing press releases and writing bio’s for others. Her writing was effective and was able to convey something deeper even within a factual format.

One day she looked back and realized that while her attention was diverted toward using her gift to promote the voice of others, she had become “published” in many magazines, newspapers and journals across the country and that yes…she was even a paid writer.

However, she still didn’t feel like she knew her own voice…so she started focusing her writing into herself, using it as the scalpel of her focused attention, performing surgery on her outer layers, effectively tearing into her own flesh down to the level of her soul…finding out who she is, what she’s really made of and uncovering the source of the voice within her.

After about a year of fully concentrating on writing for self-discovery, she was invited by Albert Foong the Urban Monk, to participate in a writing project about compassion. The prize of The Now Watch was allotted to the judges’ favorite submissions and her entry was one of six to receive the watch.

A smile comes from so deep within her that she wonders at the source of it and at the way spirit moves to validate us on our paths.

You see, she was born with a gift (as are we all), a key to that would reveal a purpose or way of being in this world.

However it is the nature of the door to swing both ways in accordance with attachment, judgment and intent, so this gift when used in the service of the ego was a source of great pain and when used for a higher purpose altogether; a pathway of unimaginable joy that has the power to take her deeper and deeper into the center of her being.

A note from the author:

My most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation flows forward to the three monks; Albert, Kenton and Wade; for their project and the process of participating in it, brought to full circle, this great learning and at the same time has gifted me with a reminder of the tremendous value of presence within the only time that really exists…the now.

Spirit certainly has a way of getting our attention, using symbolism and a communication system that is customized for us alone while at the same time sending messages for others…like the great spiritual teachers that through conversation with one student also speak to everyone witnessing…touching each in a profoundly personal way through a singular event, I believe the Spread the Love Now! project to be one such event

Namaste

Comments

By Albert | UrbanMonk.Net on January 11th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

Thank you for this Paula – You do have a unique gift, and we’re grateful that you’ve honed it and are sharing it with us all.

By Paula Kawal on January 11th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

Hi Albert!

I believe that each and everyone us is gifted with a path that will lead us inward…it can usually be found through our passions and interests.

For me, it has been writing, I just never knew what I was actually supposed to be using this passion for until I started using it as a pathway within. That was when it all opened up and I began to see what I am really doing with this life and of course…that is part of my mission…to help others identify their path and start to take that journey

I’m grateful for the passions you’ve honed and share as well!

Much love,

PK

By Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker on January 13th, 2008 at 6:38 pm

Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories. I am so glad that you came back into the field of writing in the way that you did.

By Paula Kawal on January 14th, 2008 at 10:45 pm

Hey Patricia!

Awwww, you’re so sweet It’s my pleasure to share these sorts of stories because I think that these kinds of experiences are some of the most misunderstood.

And honestly, I’m also glad that I wasn’t published prematurely because the writing voice I have now is one that can heal and the stories I have to write about at length in books are also of that nature. All of our experiences have value and will help us get where we need to go when we’re ready to accept them as lessons

Much love,

PK

By K-L on January 16th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

Ha!

Paula, you’ve written my story here in exact detail…

Oh how we are all the same.

Same fears.

Same dreams.

Same challenges.

Same joys.

In seeing me reflected in you, I feel liberated…

Thank you

By Paula Kawal on January 17th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

Hey K-L,

Nice to have you back!
You’re welcome! Knowing that I can be that reflection adds even more value to this experience, so I thank you for sharing your growth with me here and I dance and revel in your liberation

Much love,

PK