I’ve been to the Botanical Gardens dozens of times and somehow never saw her before. She’s huge. How could I have missed her? Did they trim back the foliage around her, exposing her? Or was I simply more present this time?
And this foot bridge into the Japanese Garden, it wasn’t always there, was it?
Surely I’d have remembered this plaque on the inside railing?
Gentle direction, and protection.
I love the smell of dirt. The rustle of the leaves. The sun filtering through the branches. The sound of a little stream. It doesn’t take long. Ten, twenty minutes before my breathing changes. I become more calm. Petty worries melt away. Solutions to larger concerns become more clear.
A trip to the gardens. Or coffee on the deck behind the house with little birds flitting about. Squirrels doing acrobatics in the branches of the trees. Right now I’m sitting in the big front window. Screens wide open, breathing fresh air, watching my happy kids ride by on their scooters. Green leafy trees, pink and yellow and purple and orange flowers still abound. Not for for long, I know. I’m about to close my computer and get out there.
Mother Nature will tend to us if we let her.
We just have to go outside.
Thank you for this peace-filled posting and the lovely photographs that accompanied it. As you said, “Mother Nature will tend to us if we let her.” I do believe this is true and often I find myself on the couch, staring out the windows at the glint of sunlight on the glistening leaves. Then we can go deep, deep, deep into the Oneness that connects all of creation.
Thank you, Michelle for reminding me of mindfulness.
Peace.
PS: I read chapters 18 through 21 last night. Chapter 18 was hard to read. I can’t imagine how hard it was to write. You are a survivor.
We are having a glorious Indian Summer here in the Northwest and your post inspired me to go take advantage of it. Even though Lola is home with strep throat, I bundled her up, took her out in to the sunshine and spent an hour reading to her with the warm rays hitting her upturned face. I know it helped us both.
Good advice, my friend; good advice. Thank you.
Oh, such serenity. I need to get out to our local botanical garden – thanks for the reminder!
I’ll take me some gentle direction and protection!
I feel so the same way… How many times have I found my peace in nature? Countlessssss. Beautiful post.
🙂