Eternal Springtime

Not long ago I met a little boy standing near a pond. He yelled, 'Hi!' and greeted me like an old friend.

In his two-year-old way, he shared his enthusiasm for spring, jabbering and pointing to birds and ducks and flowers. My time with him and his mother was delightful.

As I continued wandering, I had a thought about springtime. Maybe spring is more than just a season. Maybe it’s actually a state of consciousness...the ability to see life as fresh and new and exciting, with surprises everywhere.

Perhaps our weary adult eyes have lost touch with this consciousness, while young children can easily access it.

Imagine experiencing every day as eternal spring…I love that idea.

(Link to New Photos: wandernature.com/new-photos)

Natural Love

How vulnerable she looked standing at the edge of a pond…a picture of innocence. And knowing that this lovely wood duck would soon be parenting new baby ducks, I smiled and wished her well.

As I watched her, I thought about all the amazing beings in the natural world. Animals, plants, trees, and stones…they fascinate and inspire me. A beautiful reminder that this world is an incredible place.

In their innocence and vulnerability, nature beings emanate unconditional love, the ultimate gift from the Spirit of the Earth. I feel that love each time I wander.

Naturalist John Muir once mused, ‘In every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks.’

I wholeheartedly agree…

(Link to New Photos: wandernature.com/new-photos)

Reassured

A symphony of chirps announced their return from their winter migration…the tree swallows. I was delighted to see them.

As I watched the little iridescent birds inspect tree cavities looking for the perfect nesting sites, I had a thought. Despite all that’s happening in the everyday world, we can rely on nature for hope, and comfort, and inspiration.

Soon new baby animals will arrive and flowers will grace us with a profusion of color…reassurance that nature is always there welcoming us.

In gratitude, I took a breath and wandered on…

(Link to New Photos: wandernature.com/new-photos)