Tag Archives: forest

Monday at noon

My breath labored. Yesterdays footprints taken by the wind. Sun heightening snows colors as crystals of blue, and purple, and an occasional red.

It was just an ordinary day but it wasn’t because I was not in the office. Instead, I was hiking, as I wish I could always be. There before me was the most wonderful moment, quiet except for my breath and the wind clanking frozen tree branches like windchimes. In that moment I closed my eyes and became one with the land, happily, no presents, no pressure to get it right or be right, the best holiday ever.

When

When the warm winds blow melting ice and snow, removing winter for just a day, all that remains is the reflection of deep blue sky and leaves brown limp and soggy.

Even though it is painful beyond belief, the clarity you receive from a tough conversation is worth it because you have the opportunity to heal and move on.

“The lotus is the seat of great sages and saints, buddhas and bodhisatvas, all those who have refined their consciousness to a state where they can root themselves in life’s muddy soil and use its fertility as compost to blossom the soul.”- Sally Kempton

Coexist

Pine scented, ice pelting air devoid of any warmth yet quiet and centering. Branches heavy with soft snow yet alive, warm with insulation.

When we look to nature to bring about our own understanding of self and how we fit into the whole, a new world emerges showing us extremes that coexist. It is in these extremes that we realize that we are able to exist and thrive, comfort and strengthen each other as one.

Maybe we could try embracing diversity? It seems to work pretty well in nature.

Whiskers

They stand like whiskers, unruly and thick, without uniformity. Their green foliage, then vibrant now past, lay as brown and tan, light and dry soon be next year’s soil. Not a hint of the past, of what it was in color but instead a different form and a different role.

Looking at the bigger picture, we can see the seasons as a chance to step back and be small, and allow the wonder of nature carry us into another opportunity; maybe one we did not expect or one that allows our past, our knowledge, our vibrant life that once was, to be transformed into something new and useful to the whole.

Tween

Bed of frozen leaves insulating the trail, making cautious footing. Sunlight warm enough to awaken warrior insects whose tribes still slumber.

Forest bed warm and wet, moss still inviting.

Summit snow and wind blowing dagger ice chunks from trees.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich on cold rocks in the warm sun.

The tween season can be challenging, but like everything else in life you have a good chance of succeeding if you prepare yourself, think about layers, and appreciate what you have.

Barry

Barry gave up trying to make sense of the newest version of software. Like his co-workers, he hated to call IT for assistance because he knew that they would be able to fix his issues immediately, and he just couldn’t stand looking like an idiot again. Instead, he opted for the method of just pushing different keys until something different happened. This of course led to clicking more options until something happened, and, well, he called IT.

Bones

Roots entwined, hardened and raised as bones from a skeleton left, not remembered and drying. The trail calling to step high and look down, no gazing at filtered sunlight, gentle fluttering leaves or hurried chipmunk.

Sometimes life’s gift is a hard lesson that causes you to focus in order not to misstep and fall, but the beauty in that is that you focus.