Today, in the forest, the sound that echoed all around, even a half an hour into the walk, was that of my busy life. I was deep into the coming semester’s scheduling and the possible conflicts ahead with the juggling for time in days that have yet to arrive.
The trees, the birds, even the crickets who come out for every warm spell, were not very forgiving of the noises I brought into the woods – they asked me to let it go, already. They compelled me to sit a while on every bench made of fallen trees. They told me to listen. They called to me, endlessly, a distant longing at the edge of my compulsive mental mapping. I couldn’t stop. I could not find the wire that connected my ears to my perception – I was lost. Finally –
One tree stuck his tongue out at me and said, “hey lady,” (sounding a bit like a beastie boy). “We hear you and all your thoughts, but can you do this?” and he pointed to his naked branches stretching out in 10,000 different directions. “Hmmm? I grew out into this from just a little seed.”
Then next to him, another tree one upped us both. “Yeah, but can either of you hold onto your green all winter, even in the darkest and coldest of days?”
The heron perched nearby turned his back. He was above this playground banter. He glanced back at us over his shoulder. “Don’t drop down to her level, guys.”
There seemed to be some agreement to let me proceed on my way and to trust me to end my campaign to disturb the peace. Fields of stalking rice and grass, rooted in the deepest wisdom of mud, waved to me was I passed by, oblivious that there could ever be any other way.
The wind at last was able to toss me the rhythm of my breath by the time I had to go. He had been trying to to pitch it to me for over an hour. “Nice catch,” he offered. I caught that kindness, too.
Life as Improv 
such a nice reflection
of being still,
even if just
a moment, my friend!
nothing nicer than a heart
to heart from nature 🙂
Nature granted me
a tete e tete…
i am so grateful how
this returning
is so close – and
ever ready.
It was that kind of day for me too Marga. Running seemed to help a bit. The weather here can feel so oppressive this time of year.
Trees know better it seems, except maybe on very windy days.
Hugs,
Debra
Debra,
I almost felt like I could hear my busy thoughts bouncing around in the woods – I felt embarrassed in front of the trees! Thank goodness they helped me out. So glad you are able to get out and move – It is always the right direction, isn’t it – get thee outside and moving – I hope to remember every day! Warm Winter Hugs sent your way! Marga
The wind cries Marga.
Thank goodness that it does for in that cry, I awaken. (again and again) 🙂
Gotta love the Hendrix reference.
Thank you for the help, Michael! Nice excuse to refresh the rusty connectors!
Well, I’m Experienced now. I might try playing this for my 6-year-old too and see what happens. Thanks, Marga :~)
Had an interesting thought: The “It” I need to lay down is my “self.” The world keeps trying to tell me, “Dude (the world talks kind of like a slacker), dude, it’s not all about you.”
Here comes my red pen on my own writing…
“It” (unclear pronoun reference!)
Or is “it” a purposeful lack of clarity that allows us all to figure out our own “it.” Dude, lay that self down! Mine, yesterday, was the ridiculous planner. Gone today, thank goodness!
You made me think of this humbling video:
First, I loved that video. I think I’m going to show it to my 6-year-old, who loves science and will really enjoy it.
Second, Dude! Put down that red pen! By using the undefined pronoun “it,” you have allowed each of us to think of what *we* need to lay down; you have made a space for each of us in the narrative you presented. So thank you very much for the pronoun with the ambiguous reference. :~)
… and, once again, marga’s words cause me to pause … and sigh … and release … and smile …
… and I breathe in the truth (that I too often forget) of this sweet life …
… and I smile some more …
Oh yes, Kelly, the moment of release when we get pulled back into the moment full of everything that we were blind to, only a moment before. Smiling with you, in the rainy today. xo! marga
Nice catch, indeed!
He can throw 🙂
Just posted. Then came over here to see what was happening. Wicked spooky trip, this one, M… And I loved the song. Ooohh, I like finding new music…
I’ve had a few walks like I think this one sounds, where you hunt for the peace you know you’ve known, and it won’t come, and then right at the end, there’s a glimpse, a surrender. And you’re grateful for all the support that gathered round… Another reluctant skin shed…
Michael
We were both hearing and seeing into the realm of the trees, for sure. I am still deeply pondering the message of the firs. Returning. The next several months, through the linear mapping, are signaling to me an opportunity for practice with this surrendering again and again. Stillness beckons – no matter what the calendar says!
I love the warm spells and the ensuing forestral (that’s forest +astral) excitement. I’ve also been in this place, as Michael says, of the reluctant skin shed. It’s almost like another task to fail, when your life is overwhelming with tasks. “Lets see if I can accomplish some inner peace in the forest.” That’s about the time I usually walk very fast to get out the nervous energy and then tear up, to get out even more. But no worries, the trees and the crickets loved showing off their talents to you, despite their outward appearances. Not many humans take much interest in their magic these days. Somebody had to be nervous, or else who could they help? They needed you as much as you needed them. 🙂
Oh so perceptive, A! It was a bit of a chase for inner peace on Sunday. Always so wonderful to remember how mind states do change so quickly and that the forest has space for me in all my many ways of being. So blessed by my exchanges there and by my support through these exchanges here – here where we are speaking a new kindred tongue, that also includes cricket and tree 🙂 Big hugs sent your way! xo! m
‘Nice catch.’ Oh the syncs I have with you M! I’ve heard that same thing before…via a channelling from our mutual friend A. Our tribe explores space together and plays ball together!! Team Space Ball! Omg. I can’t believe I just wrote that. There’s your cheesy, comic relief for the day 🙂
Not that we need them, but these overlaps are so validating, Amanda! The phrasing that nods to me is always so strange – just in knowing “nice catch” is not a phrase I use or think of – yet as it comes from some more shared space, it squeezes itself into my flow. How lovely to no longer be waiting to be chosen for the pick up team, but find that a team is assembling itself without a team captain or tryout, even. We just all showed up, at the pre-ordained hour, ready to play! xo!! m
nicely laid down, sounds like. 🙂 the words came through the woodvines with such resonance i felt sound (like, you know, before life went digital…? … and it was awesomely cool.)
i hear you, too! xo!