"When I think about the experience of the retreat, I never think of the hours spent on the cushion. I think of that woodpecker and me, alive at the same time, in the same place, and how impossibly awake I felt, and how impossibly connected I felt to every living thing, in those woods and beyond."
What a sentence! And the paragraph with the invitation to walk with you is like an exhale.
Thank you for this Louise. I can't possibly understand why some people are so hateful and greedy, but I try to remember that they are only part of the picture, even if they control far too much. I too find solace in walking and nature. It's as close to feeling one with God as I come, running on the trail or walking, feeling the peace that comes with being close to the real world. I'm grateful for technology but it can be distracting, and it's often the tool of our mental destruction. I believe most people would be far happier and kinder if they just set their phones down forever and walked away. I'm elated you got to see a pileated at your retreat!!! We are so lucky to have them in our woods here, to see and hear them frequently, along with other woodpeckers. The joy birds and nature bring is limitless. Peace and love to you. XO
Same, same. It's a lofty goal, one I definitely fall short of. I'm so thankful for all of the amazing friends, like YOU! that I'd have never otherwise met. The usefulness of such a connecting tool can't be minimized. But I do believe nature is so much better for me, moving my body through it and trying not to miss the real treasures.
Again, your writing brings tears to my eyes-I love the poem, too: “forethought of grief.” I find it so hard not to distract myself and you help me to focus on the sounds and lives found in nature. It reflects where I live, but I even admire the timeless peace of rocks. Thank you!
Such beauty in this essay. I’m not outdoorsy at all and cure my own anxiety and problems by reading indoors with hot tea and soft pillows, but your descriptions of the woods and trails and wildlife make me wish I liked the outdoors more. Oh, and by the way, my husband has a pileated woodpecker that visits our backyard (and rooftop gutter) frequently! He loves the Merlin app you told us about!
Thank you, Louise, for your beautiful words and the Wendell Berry poem. Sitting here with (hopeful) tears in my eyes; I needed this today and this week. XO
"When I think about the experience of the retreat, I never think of the hours spent on the cushion. I think of that woodpecker and me, alive at the same time, in the same place, and how impossibly awake I felt, and how impossibly connected I felt to every living thing, in those woods and beyond."
What a sentence! And the paragraph with the invitation to walk with you is like an exhale.
💚💚💚thank you, Cathy!💚💚💚
Thank you for this Louise. I can't possibly understand why some people are so hateful and greedy, but I try to remember that they are only part of the picture, even if they control far too much. I too find solace in walking and nature. It's as close to feeling one with God as I come, running on the trail or walking, feeling the peace that comes with being close to the real world. I'm grateful for technology but it can be distracting, and it's often the tool of our mental destruction. I believe most people would be far happier and kinder if they just set their phones down forever and walked away. I'm elated you got to see a pileated at your retreat!!! We are so lucky to have them in our woods here, to see and hear them frequently, along with other woodpeckers. The joy birds and nature bring is limitless. Peace and love to you. XO
I am so conflicted about technology—I want to put it down and walk away, but here I am talking to lovely people like you, who I may never have met!!
Same, same. It's a lofty goal, one I definitely fall short of. I'm so thankful for all of the amazing friends, like YOU! that I'd have never otherwise met. The usefulness of such a connecting tool can't be minimized. But I do believe nature is so much better for me, moving my body through it and trying not to miss the real treasures.
YES! Same! I’m taking a weeklong workshop in a couple of weeks and my main excitement is not being on my phone 🤦♀️
Hahah! GOOD LUCK! You got this lol
Again, your writing brings tears to my eyes-I love the poem, too: “forethought of grief.” I find it so hard not to distract myself and you help me to focus on the sounds and lives found in nature. It reflects where I live, but I even admire the timeless peace of rocks. Thank you!
The timeless peace of rocks—beautiful!!!! It is comforting, thinking of what those rocks have seen and endured. Thanks so much, Julie.
Just wonderful
Thank you, Susan!
Such beauty in this essay. I’m not outdoorsy at all and cure my own anxiety and problems by reading indoors with hot tea and soft pillows, but your descriptions of the woods and trails and wildlife make me wish I liked the outdoors more. Oh, and by the way, my husband has a pileated woodpecker that visits our backyard (and rooftop gutter) frequently! He loves the Merlin app you told us about!
I love that he is using Merlin! Thanks so much, Michelle. We all find our places or comfort—yours sounds pretty darn good to me!!
Thank you. This was lovely and much needed.
Thanks so much, Leanne!
Thank you, Louise, for your beautiful words and the Wendell Berry poem. Sitting here with (hopeful) tears in my eyes; I needed this today and this week. XO
That poem!! It could have been written for today. Thanks, Patricia ❤️