I’ve been captivated by trees, how strong they are. Asking myself How long they’ve stood there ground or what they’ve experienced. I used to get sad, seeing the fallen trees. But when I looked closely, they still are apart of the ecosystem. Made me think of life and death, birth and rebirth, the Impermanence of it all. The quote “we have a short while to be here, and a long time to be gone” comes to mind.
A while back I heard Robin Wall Kimmerer read this wonderful essay she wrote for Emergence Magazine on this very topic of how much life a tree gives rise to after it falls to the ground. https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/becoming-earth/
Pretty much all aspects of nature awakens my soul: from the quiet, peaceful, colorful sunrises to the Cat 5, devastating hurricanes, all of it speaks to me of Gods peaceful or destructive power.
Ever since I can remember I loved the outdoors in all seasons. Have always loved nature especially w/ blue skies & plenty of sunshine. My least favorite season is winter although I used to downhill ski a lot and went to college in the Green Mountains of VT. My parents owned a townhouse in Loon Mountain after I was married and we loved that area as well in all seasons. Did a lot of bike riding all over. Sailing in my first years of marriage was on Lake Champlain in VT/NY. My biggest love is the ocean though but I do enjoy hikes /bike rides/cross country skiing near water.
The wildness of Nature always calls to me . . .
the savagery,
the desperate struggles of life and death . . .
the chaos that is not chaos at all,
but a beautifully balanced dance.
One thing leads to another
and another and another.
From the fires
comes new birth,
tender and true.
From the effort of the kill
comes a peaceful time,
when the lions clean their paws and claws,
and cubs nap on the savanna,
sated.
What looks to us,
(ignorant humans that we are,
having forfeited much of our animal wisdom),
like cruelty,
is really a delicately woven chain of life . . .
they know that there is more to life than death . . .
there is a bigger picture here.
It’s all about cycles . . .
a moving pattern,
where every action has natural consequences
that are a part of the natural order of the Universe.
All of this changing is evolution . . .
enlightenment,
growing with the changes,
adapting to new ways of living,
new ways of eating,
new methods of navigating.
Nature knows this stuff.
The wildness of Nature always calls to me,
but so does her softer side . . .
there is love,
there is gentleness and companionship,
there is compassion
and pleasure.
Nature
holds no judgment,
but will fight to maintain stasis and keep herself in tact.
Nature will fight to stay alive.
What a bunch of contrasts
and seeming inconsistencies she is,
but there is a magnificent order
to the whole beautiful,
spectacular mess,
and I can get just a peek at it
if I open my heart and soul to it,
and take my ego out of the equation.
Who in the world
can possibly believe that all of this is just random? ♥
This Mary Oliver poem captures some of this, Sparrow. Discovered thanks to a wonderful blog I found by LoraKim Joyner, who read her way through Mary Oliver and posted a poem a day with her thoughts as a UU minister, certified nonviolent communicator, and veterinarian specializing in avian conservation. https://yearsrisingmaryoliver.blogspot.com/2010/10/straight-talk-from-fox.html
Straight Talk from Fox
Listen says fox it is music to run
over the hills to lick
dew from the leaves to nose along
the edges of the ponds to smell the fat
ducks in their bright feathers but
far out, safe in their rafts of
sleep. It is like
music to visit the orchard, to find
the vole sucking the sweet of the apple, or the
rabbit with his fast-beating heart. Death itself
is a music. Nobody has ever come close to
writing it down, awake or in a dream. It cannot
be told. It is flesh and bones
changing shape and with good cause, mercy
is a little child beside such an invention. It is
music to wander the black back roads
outside of town no one awake or wondering
if anything miraculous is ever going to
happen, totally dumb to the fact of every
moment’s miracle. Don’t think I haven’t
peeked into windows. I see you in all your seasons
making love, arguing, talking about God
as if he were an idea instead of the grass,
instead of the stars, the rabbit caught
in one good teeth-whacking hit and brought
home to the den. What I am, and I know it, is
responsible, joyful, thankful. I would not
give my life for a thousand of yours.
I would say that, when I’ve had the chance to help people. And I don’t mean at work or something where I’m getting paid to do it. More like when I’ve volunteered to repair bikes at events (it’s been a few years) or when a friend needs a hand at his house after a storm. Also, when I’m building or making something. Ha! I just re read the question. I thought it was “which aspects of MY nature…” 🤪
This next part was going to be my next response anyway.
I think it’s the part of nature that makes me feel small, but part of, that really gets to my soul.
Also, just the familiar smells and sounds. This also helps me feel connected. I feel like I know this place. I’m part of it.
I would have to say all of it. I love the trees especially the almighty Redwoods. Water, the Pacific Ocean & its incredible vastness & mystery. Streams, creeks & rivers which soothe my soul.
Flowers, in all shapes & sizes & colors; the California poppy my favorite. Love pansies too!
The sky, clouds, sunshine & blue skies.
The moon in all her shapes & moods.
The stars above. Last night I couldn’t sleep so I opened my shades & watched the sky @ 1:30am.
There were so many stars; bright, twinkling in the crystal clear sky. I was in awe.
The current season of Autumn with all of her “colors” & crisp fall air is a balm for my soul. Love walking thru all the fallen leaves! I feel like a kid again! So enjoying this time of the year altho I am not too excited by what comes after! Oh well…
Have a blessed day All.
🕊️♥️
Yes and yes, PKR!
I worked late on Saturday night, and just before going to bed, I looked out the window at the dramatic sky filled with clouds and stars, and bam, a shooting star streaked across the sky. I felt so lucky. 🍀
So many! Water in its many forms: the rain we’ve been having recently cleaning the air, creeks, rivers, lakes, the ocean. Snow frosting the evergreens in the North Cascades as we drove through yesterday on our way home. Trees in a forest. Mosses. The changeable and unchanging sky. The stump in a nearby park, so covered with hen of the woods mushrooms that it looks like a giant pinecone and which I visit on my walks there. Color changes with the seasons.
I’m glad you like it, Sparrow. I’ve found some wonderful things there and they have a podcast with some of their long essays that I love to listen to on walks or while working in the garden.
It’s hard to pick just a few! The desert makes my soul open up and receive peace and contemplation. The mountains, humility and awe. Rivers, curiosity and flow. The ocean, peace, mothering, and astute awareness. Trees, companionship. Every element of nature has its own invitation.
I think bodies of water and flowers are most transcendent. Water sparkling in the sunlight is glorious and magical. And each flower is a work of art. Who could create something more beautiful than a flower.
My intention today is to spend extra time noticing the wonder of nature right outside my door.
Wishing a peaceful Monday to all.
Bright blue skies with a handful of clouds on cold wintery days. Rustling of fallen fall leaves upon the pavement. Varieties in the shades of green in tree tops on the hills in the spring.
Blessings to you all this fine Monday morn 🍁🧡☮️
“Through me course wide rivers and in me rise tall mountains. And beyond the thickets of my agitation and confusion there stretch the wide plains of my peace and surrender. All landscapes are within me. And there is room for everything.”
Nature teaches me the importance of willingness and the power of the mind. It reminds me that ‘All Landscapes” are indeed within me though I sometimes trudge, inner peace awaits my surrender. Etty Hillesum’s quote literally held me in an embrace!
Everything about the sky and the vastness of what it holds – the sun, moon, stars, clouds – and how they all work together to create so much beautiful art for us with sunrises and sets, rainbows, seeing shapes in the clouds. The vastness of the ocean also makes my soul come alive, but also rocky creeks and waterfalls in the mountains. Oh, and the mountains… there is so much magic in them. I feel so tiny yet so part of everything when I am in them. Thank you, Mother Nature 🌎🏔️🏞️🏝️🌅☀️🌑🌝🌈⭐
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I’ve been captivated by trees, how strong they are. Asking myself How long they’ve stood there ground or what they’ve experienced. I used to get sad, seeing the fallen trees. But when I looked closely, they still are apart of the ecosystem. Made me think of life and death, birth and rebirth, the Impermanence of it all. The quote “we have a short while to be here, and a long time to be gone” comes to mind.
I love looking at all the mushrooms growing on the fallen trees. Lots of turkey tail where I’m at – it’s an interesting ecosystem!
A while back I heard Robin Wall Kimmerer read this wonderful essay she wrote for Emergence Magazine on this very topic of how much life a tree gives rise to after it falls to the ground. https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/becoming-earth/
Pretty much all aspects of nature awakens my soul: from the quiet, peaceful, colorful sunrises to the Cat 5, devastating hurricanes, all of it speaks to me of Gods peaceful or destructive power.
Ever since I can remember I loved the outdoors in all seasons. Have always loved nature especially w/ blue skies & plenty of sunshine. My least favorite season is winter although I used to downhill ski a lot and went to college in the Green Mountains of VT. My parents owned a townhouse in Loon Mountain after I was married and we loved that area as well in all seasons. Did a lot of bike riding all over. Sailing in my first years of marriage was on Lake Champlain in VT/NY. My biggest love is the ocean though but I do enjoy hikes /bike rides/cross country skiing near water.
Your descriptions of skiing remind me to look forward to the snow this winter!
The wildness of Nature always calls to me . . .
the savagery,
the desperate struggles of life and death . . .
the chaos that is not chaos at all,
but a beautifully balanced dance.
One thing leads to another
and another and another.
From the fires
comes new birth,
tender and true.
From the effort of the kill
comes a peaceful time,
when the lions clean their paws and claws,
and cubs nap on the savanna,
sated.
What looks to us,
(ignorant humans that we are,
having forfeited much of our animal wisdom),
like cruelty,
is really a delicately woven chain of life . . .
they know that there is more to life than death . . .
there is a bigger picture here.
It’s all about cycles . . .
a moving pattern,
where every action has natural consequences
that are a part of the natural order of the Universe.
All of this changing is evolution . . .
enlightenment,
growing with the changes,
adapting to new ways of living,
new ways of eating,
new methods of navigating.
Nature knows this stuff.
The wildness of Nature always calls to me,
but so does her softer side . . .
there is love,
there is gentleness and companionship,
there is compassion
and pleasure.
Nature
holds no judgment,
but will fight to maintain stasis and keep herself in tact.
Nature will fight to stay alive.
What a bunch of contrasts
and seeming inconsistencies she is,
but there is a magnificent order
to the whole beautiful,
spectacular mess,
and I can get just a peek at it
if I open my heart and soul to it,
and take my ego out of the equation.
Who in the world
can possibly believe that all of this is just random? ♥
Beautifully said, dear Sparrow. Thank you.
Thank you,
dear Mary . . .
it’s all so amazing. ♥
This Mary Oliver poem captures some of this, Sparrow. Discovered thanks to a wonderful blog I found by LoraKim Joyner, who read her way through Mary Oliver and posted a poem a day with her thoughts as a UU minister, certified nonviolent communicator, and veterinarian specializing in avian conservation. https://yearsrisingmaryoliver.blogspot.com/2010/10/straight-talk-from-fox.html
Straight Talk from Fox
Listen says fox it is music to run
over the hills to lick
dew from the leaves to nose along
the edges of the ponds to smell the fat
ducks in their bright feathers but
far out, safe in their rafts of
sleep. It is like
music to visit the orchard, to find
the vole sucking the sweet of the apple, or the
rabbit with his fast-beating heart. Death itself
is a music. Nobody has ever come close to
writing it down, awake or in a dream. It cannot
be told. It is flesh and bones
changing shape and with good cause, mercy
is a little child beside such an invention. It is
music to wander the black back roads
outside of town no one awake or wondering
if anything miraculous is ever going to
happen, totally dumb to the fact of every
moment’s miracle. Don’t think I haven’t
peeked into windows. I see you in all your seasons
making love, arguing, talking about God
as if he were an idea instead of the grass,
instead of the stars, the rabbit caught
in one good teeth-whacking hit and brought
home to the den. What I am, and I know it, is
responsible, joyful, thankful. I would not
give my life for a thousand of yours.
How could I not know
that Mary Oliver wrote this?
Her insights and works
are exquisite,
dear Barb . . .
I am deeply humbled. ♥
The one intelligence that resides in all.
Exactly,
dear Joseph . . . ♥
thank you.
Makes the soul come alive- the sun, crisp breezes, stars and the ocean.
Makes the soul quiet and contemplate- the mountains, rivers, trees and again the ocean.
I did t mean to steal Drea’s train of thought but her answer led me here. Thanks
I’m glad my post inspired your post, Deann! No thoughts of stealing here, sharing a moment of inspiration and building on it is how I see it.
Clouds, waterfalls, newly fallen snow, and mountains.
I would say that, when I’ve had the chance to help people. And I don’t mean at work or something where I’m getting paid to do it. More like when I’ve volunteered to repair bikes at events (it’s been a few years) or when a friend needs a hand at his house after a storm. Also, when I’m building or making something. Ha! I just re read the question. I thought it was “which aspects of MY nature…” 🤪
This next part was going to be my next response anyway.
I think it’s the part of nature that makes me feel small, but part of, that really gets to my soul.
Also, just the familiar smells and sounds. This also helps me feel connected. I feel like I know this place. I’m part of it.
I would have to say all of it. I love the trees especially the almighty Redwoods. Water, the Pacific Ocean & its incredible vastness & mystery. Streams, creeks & rivers which soothe my soul.
Flowers, in all shapes & sizes & colors; the California poppy my favorite. Love pansies too!
The sky, clouds, sunshine & blue skies.
The moon in all her shapes & moods.
The stars above. Last night I couldn’t sleep so I opened my shades & watched the sky @ 1:30am.
There were so many stars; bright, twinkling in the crystal clear sky. I was in awe.
The current season of Autumn with all of her “colors” & crisp fall air is a balm for my soul. Love walking thru all the fallen leaves! I feel like a kid again! So enjoying this time of the year altho I am not too excited by what comes after! Oh well…
Have a blessed day All.
🕊️♥️
Yes and yes, PKR!
I worked late on Saturday night, and just before going to bed, I looked out the window at the dramatic sky filled with clouds and stars, and bam, a shooting star streaked across the sky. I felt so lucky. 🍀
Sunlight. I love seeing the sunlight through my windows, especially in the winter. It brings a sense of positivity and liveliness.
My Ngoc, that computer room you’re in has the bright morning sunshine that shines right through the window.
Yes, Ngoc. I have a room in my house that has a sunny window. I’m sitting there right now. It helps with the seasonal blahhhs. 😁
So many! Water in its many forms: the rain we’ve been having recently cleaning the air, creeks, rivers, lakes, the ocean. Snow frosting the evergreens in the North Cascades as we drove through yesterday on our way home. Trees in a forest. Mosses. The changeable and unchanging sky. The stump in a nearby park, so covered with hen of the woods mushrooms that it looks like a giant pinecone and which I visit on my walks there. Color changes with the seasons.
Which reminds me that I just read a long, beautiful essay in Emergence Magazine about observing the changes and microseasons that comes to mind with this question. Well worth reading https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/a-circling-story/?utm_source=Emergence+Magazine&utm_campaign=91dfe9612d-Newsletter_20251026&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-0be9b497cf-357388019.
I also ordered a book of practices in observing the seasons: https://store.emergencemagazine.org/?utm_source=Emergence+Magazine&utm_campaign=91dfe9612d-Newsletter_20251026&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-0be9b497cf-357388019.
Thank you,
dear Barb,
for the links . . .
what a wondrous site!
I have signed up
and look forward to exploring the material. ♥
I’m glad you like it, Sparrow. I’ve found some wonderful things there and they have a podcast with some of their long essays that I love to listen to on walks or while working in the garden.
It’s hard to pick just a few! The desert makes my soul open up and receive peace and contemplation. The mountains, humility and awe. Rivers, curiosity and flow. The ocean, peace, mothering, and astute awareness. Trees, companionship. Every element of nature has its own invitation.
You’re right,
dear Drea . . .
a different appeal
from every element. ♥
Love this!
I think bodies of water and flowers are most transcendent. Water sparkling in the sunlight is glorious and magical. And each flower is a work of art. Who could create something more beautiful than a flower.
My intention today is to spend extra time noticing the wonder of nature right outside my door.
Wishing a peaceful Monday to all.
Thank you Mary, I’m going to look for flowers throughout my day.
Bright blue skies with a handful of clouds on cold wintery days. Rustling of fallen fall leaves upon the pavement. Varieties in the shades of green in tree tops on the hills in the spring.
Blessings to you all this fine Monday morn 🍁🧡☮️
“Through me course wide rivers and in me rise tall mountains. And beyond the thickets of my agitation and confusion there stretch the wide plains of my peace and surrender. All landscapes are within me. And there is room for everything.”
Nature teaches me the importance of willingness and the power of the mind. It reminds me that ‘All Landscapes” are indeed within me though I sometimes trudge, inner peace awaits my surrender. Etty Hillesum’s quote literally held me in an embrace!
Me too,
dear Carol Ann,
especially knowing Etty Hillesum’s story. ♥
Everything about the sky and the vastness of what it holds – the sun, moon, stars, clouds – and how they all work together to create so much beautiful art for us with sunrises and sets, rainbows, seeing shapes in the clouds. The vastness of the ocean also makes my soul come alive, but also rocky creeks and waterfalls in the mountains. Oh, and the mountains… there is so much magic in them. I feel so tiny yet so part of everything when I am in them. Thank you, Mother Nature 🌎🏔️🏞️🏝️🌅☀️🌑🌝🌈⭐