I’ve been waiting and watching and waiting and watching for this old tree to fall. For years it stood decaying where it stood.. held by the limbs of the tree beside it. This tree became a metaphor for much of my life. I walked past it and would debate pushing it over and instead I waited because intuitively I knew my two hands were not meant to control its time to fall to the forest floor. This tree was so dead, so rotten, that even birds would not make their home in it.. and yet it stood.. winds blew and it stood.. rains came and it stood.. ice, snow, heat, and hail.. it just held on.. until now. I feel myself rejoicing as once again it’s metaphor - it’s story is not lost on me. I will say beyond a doubt I am glad to see the hole in the Canopy this tree has left. Sayonara old friend. Let the new saplings grow! Thanks for the medicine and teachings about holding on and knowing when to let go.
Friend
I met this swallowtail caterpillar while pulling weeds in garden plot at a school I am working at in Atlanta. Thankfully, he was willing to travel with me upstairs to the classroom where he met many young humans who were gentle, inquisitive, and excited to meet such a fine specimen of his species. When Forest Friday was over and he and I were packing up to leave he gave the kids one last surprise.. he pooped on me. Funny thing, people generally don’t think of insects pooping, but considering all the leaves caterpillars eat it wasn’t surprising at all for me.. after they were completely grossed out my friend the swallowtail caterpillar and I went back to the garden where I found him and there I left him to hopefully eat some more, poop some more, and one day soon become a beautiful butterfly.
AWE
You cannot transmit wisdom and insight into another person. The seed is already there. A good teacher touches the seed, allowing it to wake up, to sprout, and to grow.
~ Thich Nhat Hahn
Paynes Creek
One of the most beautiful take aways from walking 30 miles over mountains on the AT was learning to overcome myself in moments of anxiety and fear. I recently also took up mountain biking with @dirt.punk and @kalibhubbard. Giving up on the trail before the AT on a hard climb on my bike was easy. Now, I know it's not worth it to give up because I know what I am capable of. I CAN DO ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO. Striving harder, pushing my limits, and keeping on going fearlessly no matter how many tries and how hard it is.. overcoming myself and having fun while doing it..
