Open Hearted

I spotted this red-winged blackbird a few days ago, and I was struck by the shape of the marking on his wing. It looked a bit like a heart… 

I was reminded of a young boy I recently met on a trail, a boy who also wore his heart on his wing. Under the watchful eye of his parents, he talked with everyone he met. I was impressed with how warm and welcoming he was. No one was a stranger, and his excitement for life was contagious.

As young children, we all wore our hearts on our wings, before we learned to control and hide our feelings. I admire how transparent children are. They cry when they’re sad, laugh when they’re happy, and grimace when they’re mad. They express their love fully and without hesitation.

Imagine if we could all recapture our openhearted and loving ways. What a different world it would be...

(New photos on website Gallery:  wandernature.com/new-photos)

A Father's Gift

Not long ago, I spotted this beautiful pheasant racing across a trail into a field. Seeing him reminded me of an experience I had in the woods a while back.

It was a quiet and peaceful afternoon in the forest. I was crouched down taking a picture of some mushrooms when I heard a squeal. A young girl came racing down the hill, and I quickly stepped out of the way so she could pass. Her bright pink polka-dotted raincoat was a blur. I suspect that she didn’t even see me as she flew by.

Not far behind was her father, moving quickly to keep up with his energetic daughter. As he passed me, we exchanged knowing smiles. We both knew that the spirit of wildness had captured the girl, and there was no stopping her. She was pure joy in motion.

As I headed home later, I thought about the father and daughter. As the girl raced down the hill, her father didn’t caution her to be careful or to slow down or to stop. He simply let her be herself as he supported her wild moment in the woods. I was so touched by this man's devotion to his daughter.

And what a precious gift he gave his daughter that day.

Permission to fly...

(New photos on website Gallery:  wandernature.com/new-photos)

Inspiration

One morning last week I saw this beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky, and I was reminded of an experience I had in the woods.

It was on a bright summer afternoon when I spotted him...a small rainbow dinosaur hopping down the forest path. It was a 3-year-old boy in costume with his parents close behind. The family stopped to chat. The boy’s mother shared that her son has a trunk full of animal costumes, and he loves to wear them when he hikes.

The little boy was so engaging. He greeted me like an old friend and excitedly showed me some stones he had collected. My experience of him was pure delight. His parents smiled and said they love to take him places because he creates joy wherever he goes.

As I continued on the path, I had a thought. That little boy was reflecting aspects of our true nature…he was very kind, warm-hearted, open and inclusive, untouched by fear. And his rainbow dinosaur costume was the perfect symbol of loving acceptance of all...acceptance of all the uniquely beautiful colors of the rainbow.

I was so heartened and inspired…

(New photos on website Gallery:  wandernature.com/new-photos)