Morning

This is the first morning I have been able to get outside for morning sounds in the garden in two weeks. The garden is dry in spite of the contour beds that hold the water well.

Some rain would be nice.

The bird baths need water daily...

the squirrels have eaten all the bird seed...

and insects zoom every which way.

The wren is upset because one of our cats is lying near her nest...

and the tadpoles I've been raising are almost ready to leave the water.

I love mornings - even hot summer mornings. 

Wren Babies

Today marks 200 days in a row I have intentionally spent time outside doing a 'sit spot' - connecting with nature.

The ways I am different are countless.  

What I have learned thus far is a gift that is difficult to fully put into words.  

My mind has become quieter - clearer - so I can hear God in everything and in all moments.  

My spirit has let go of so many old ideas, stories, obligations, and shame.  

My walk has become softer to match the truth of my heart.  

Words escape me more than they find their way through my mind.

I see so much is said when sometimes silence and stillness are all we need. 

I have come to understand the only moment is what we have right now.  

How I give to the moment is up to me.  

Who I show up as in each moment is up to me.

Who I am today is not who I was yesterday.  

Who I will be tomorrow is not who I am now.  

Like all that spins I am constantly changing and growing.  

Reaching for the sun is work.  For that, I am grateful.  

And when I forget all of it, I forgive myself for my imperfections and for that I am also grateful. 

For all the beautiful little things that reveal themselves to me each day a little bit more I am grateful.  

To the birds who trust my presence, I am grateful.

 For the beautiful gardens and forests and rivers I get to roam I am grateful.

 For the breeze that passes over my toes, for the sun that pulls me upward,

and for the Earth that holds me closer, I am grateful.  

For this practice I am grateful.  

And for life I am grateful.