Anole

In the short time I have sat this evening I have seen so much life - new life.  

The titmouse brought their babies to the japanese maple,

a male anole chased a female across the bamboo trellis,

another anole crawled in a hole in the bamboo and watched the world with me.  

Blue jays brought their babies into the yard to feed.

 The Great Crested Flycatcher (one of my favorite birds) showed up to add its song to the chorus.  

The Ref Shouldered Hawks flew through returning their nest after a long day of hunting.  

Chickadees bathed in the new pond.  

Cardinals gathered up seed.  

And my anole companion from the bamboo hole made its way down to check me out and sat with me on the bench.  

I know what I thought of it.

 I wonder what it thought of me.

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.