Bravery

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I spotted this beautiful Steller’s Jay taking a break from his relentless hunt for food. 

As I watched him, I had a thought. Just being alive requires so much strength and courage and determination. An Earthly embodiment is not for the faint of heart, no matter the species.

When I look back over my life so far, I realize it has been a rich adventure, filled with blessings, joy, challenges, and lessons. 

And in my heart of hearts, I know I signed up for this adventure. Not to avoid the uncomfortable, but to have the courage to deeply experience it all. And to remember to ask for help from the seen and unseen.

Something to ponder…inspired by a lovely bird.

(Link to New Photos: wandernature.com/new-photos)

Waiting

It seems as though our world is speeding up. Faster internet, next-day delivery, immediate access to information and services. Having to wait is viewed as a negative.

I’ve noticed there’s a lot of waiting in the natural world. A while back, I watched this Northern Harrier perched on a fence for a long while. She scanned her surroundings, waiting for the slightest movement signaling breakfast. Her very survival was dependent upon her ability to wait for her prey to show itself.

Animals and plants wait for the right timing for all that they do. Mating, birth, hibernation, blooming…there’s no rush in the natural world. 

Trees don’t strive to drop their leaves faster than they did the previous fall, and flowers don’t hurry to bloom sooner than they did last spring. They wait for Earth’s perfect timing.

Maybe waiting is a natural part of life. More time for contemplation, more opportunities for thoughtful and guided decisions.

Something to ponder…inspired by a beautiful harrier.

(Link to New Photos: wandernature.com/new-photos)

Special

He appeared briefly…a common yellowthroat. Usually fast moving and elusive, I was delighted to spot him resting for a moment.

The more I wander, the more I appreciate how special the natural world is. Such beautiful and unique residents, with personalities and preferences. More like us than not, I suspect.

Day by day, as I move deeper and deeper into the natural world, I feel more at home. What a privilege it is to experience the Earth’s family and to feel a part of it.

How very grateful I am…

(Link to New Photos: wandernature.com/new-photos)