Nature’s movement
Nature is never standing still . We seem to take notice of the flowers in the spring or the leaves that have come . Do we ever stop to see the flowers as they peak from their windows to see if it is safe to come out? Can we see the subtle hues of red as Maple buds swell? Each variety with its own shade, or the haze of jade green as the pubescent leaves emerge against the sky .We marvel at the super moon but do we know its story? Do we view the crescent moon with similar awe and recognize its path? We view the tide’s rhythmic slapping at the shore but do we pine for the slack tide ? Where the flow seems to hang suspended in time for just a moment. The tug of war the seasons engage in year after year, are we aware? Or do we only notice and speak about how hot or cold it is? There is a beautiful dance going on that is worth watching.
Working outside for the better part of forty years I have noticed the grand movements of the natural world and it is indeed a marvel. I must say though, If all we see are the large moves or the completed projects of design, we have missed so much. There is magic in the unveiling of it all. There is action in the perceived gaps. Like the workings of the most complex machine, every gear, cog, and belt moves at a different pace yet all works together. It is going somewhere and presents us with wonder and beauty, if we are just willing to observe. The longer we can fix our gaze, the more we see in the spaces in between.
One of my favorite things in nature are extreme weather events. Snow storms, thunder and lightning, wind. There have been many times in my career as a tree climber when I had a first row seat to a passing front. The forecast called for a potential snowfall , yet everything seems calm. Part way through the day; while in a tree top in an instant, I feel the wind shift, the temperature drop, and the humidity change . I have actually said out loud “ here it comes!” That exact moment, the front pushes past. If I worked indoors, had my head down or senses dulled I would never have noticed. Poets and philosophers alike have known for millennia that nature is a salve for the spirit. The sound of water rushing,the push of a breeze through the treetops, the crash of waves on the shore, the smell of a walk in the wood or the awe of seeing the towering mountains that seem to touch heaven. Something happens to us when we let the sun shine on our face. Being outdoors, slowing down and noticing things lets us go inward. The Bible says “ be still and know that I am God'' . Perhaps that is not your worldview but might I suggest; it is still a wise call to be still, ideas,direction, and wisdom can be revealed in the stillness.
What a privilege it is to watch the magic of creation reveal itself; we are all invited to the show and all it costs is time. Ah, so there it is, life’s most precious commodity . How we spend it says a lot about who we are, where our priorities lie and perhaps; where we are headed. I have made an observation lately as we navigate this pandemic. With more time on our hands, many have returned to the outdoors for healing and a sense of normalcy. I passed a local trail head the other day and the lot was packed ,cars were parked out to the road. There is something nature gives us, it may be a little different for each of us . I would like to simply leave this reminder: Keep looking, take that walk, hike,or just sit outside and tune your senses into the world that is buzzing all around. When things go back to normal and we return to our former lives, nature will be doing what it always does, moving. The air ,the sun, the trees ,rocks and birds will be waiting for you to come and be still.
