Acceptance

Yesterday was one of those days. A day when I was hard on myself…I’m too much this and not enough that. I was caught in an endless loop of self-judgment.

To get away from myself, I went to the Earth. As I walked, my pace slowed, and I could feel myself calming. I experienced relief as the easy rhythm of the Earth began to take me.

After a bit, I reached a lake and noticed this lone hooded merganser paddling around. I studied her for a while, wondering what it's like to be her. Does she judge herself? Does she worry that her feathers are sticking up, or that she doesn’t swim as well as her duck friends?

I suspect not. She lives fully in the Earth’s divine loving energy. As she paddled around, I could feel her confidence. She knew she was loved and accepted for exactly who she was. No doubts, no worries, just a knowing that all is well.

I took great comfort in that knowing as I headed back to my car...

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Artistry

Early one morning, I came across dozens of spiderwebs strung across plants that lined a trail. The spinning must have happened overnight, as I hadn’t noticed the webs the previous afternoon.

As the sun shone through the weavings, I was struck by their beauty…such amazing intricacy and detail.

I’ve read scientific explanations of the hows and whys of spiderwebs, but the literature doesn’t begin to capture the magic of these beautiful creations. It’s incomprehensible to me that tiny spiders are the creators of these works of art.

I’m humbled by the artistry…

(New photos on website Gallery:  wandernature.com/new-photos)

Natural Rhythm

While wandering yesterday, I spotted this magnificent hawk hunting for food.

With a powerful burst of energy, he lifted his wings and soared over the field, scanning for prey. I could feel the intensity of his movements. Then he returned to his perch and rested. Over and over, he repeated the cycle of taking flight and returning to rest.

As I continued to wander, I had a thought. The hawk was operating in an easy rhythm…hunt, rest, hunt, rest. Animals know how to pace themselves. They live in concert with the natural rhythms of the Earth.

I suspect my encounter with the hawk was a reminder to pace myself. Expend energy, then take some moments to rest. I realized that it’s in those resting moments that reflecting happens about the lessons I’m learning and what I’m being guided to do next. I suspect it’s the recipe for living an examined life.

I’m grateful for the reminder from the beautiful hawk...

(New photos on website Gallery:  wandernature.com/new-photos)