Be in stillness. Listening to Frog and Redwood

Recently I have been feeling some underlying agitation, impatience, anxiousness, and lack of energy. Its a strange place to be. I've been here before, and yet I find myself moving through these cycles as though it's the first time.

I have a treasure trove of grounding tools (like breathwork, herbal support, guided meditation, tapping, etc ) that I can use to help me return to center.

But these days I've become aware that rotating through all the tools to trying to find the 'right' one perpetuates the urgency and anxiousness. What I need right now is to just to BE--to be the practice, be in stillness.

Nature is my primary way to come back to myself when I'm not feeling grounded. When I slow down to nature's pace, quiet my mind and tune in with all my senses I can connect to my inner knowing through nature's allies.

"Be still, until its time"

The other day I went out for my morning nature reset: sitting in stillness before I do any journaling.

When I pulled out my folding camp chair, there was a tree frog sitting in it! I gently picked up and escorted the frog to a flower pot beside me. I was surprised he didn't immediately hop away, but instead sat still, looking at me. That's when I had an awareness of these words:

"Be still,...until its time"

Okay, that sounded a bit cryptic, how do I know when it's time? Oh, right, yes, I'm sure I'll know. I was open to wait for more clarity. The frog continued to sit in stillness, with an unwavering gaze on me.

I sat quietly, taking in the garden, and occasionally glancing over to check to see if the frog would leap away. For ten minutes I sat with the frog, in stillness. I felt myself settle into my chair, and be immersed in the garden sounds, sights, and sensations.

I settled back to myself, and felt a calm as I dropped from my busy chattery mind down into my heart. I needed this time to BE still--to get out of the active buzzing energy of DOING and slow to the gentle frequency of just being.

From this calmer grounded place I can have a more beneficial impact in my life and in my interactions with others.

Nature's always communicating to us-- this time it was Frog reminding me to just BE.

I received this wisdom with gratitude and appreciation.

Later on I did an entry in my nature journal about the experience:

Spark journaling:

Tuning into nature always gives me the reset, replenishment and clarity that I need in the moment. My process of Spark Journaling- where I capture my conversations with nature has helped me feel more moments of peace, find guidance that feels nourishing, and give me practice to tune into my inner knowing and trust what comes through nature.

I'd like to share with you some insights from nature's wisdom and what message I'm distilling from it.

Redwood Komorebi (sunlight streaming through the trees)

The following was inspired on a walk in the redwood forest, with the bright sunbeams capturing my attention. I painted loosely, what I saw and felt, then did some journaling letting the words flow onto the paper.

"The afternoon sun shines through the tall stand of redwoods. At one moment, bright sunbeams peek through, momentarily blinding me. Then I adjust my position and view to see hazy afternoon sunbeams streaming through between the trunks.

Light is always there, but if I shift my position- my perspective, what I experience can change: can be either a vibrant spotlight or a soft, warm, directed glow. Is this true in my life too? Where can I shift my view to change what and how I experience life?

Can I turn the dial down in intensity? Like a strong, directed stare versus watching with soft Owl Eyes, peripherally.

Nothing is good nor bad. It's your perspective that determines how you receive.

Nature makes use of whatever comes- rain or drought, day or night, heat wave or a freeze, calm or blustery, people or no people, make use and allow what comes without labeling - no judgment. Then you will flow through life with more ease."

River Song:

I was inspired to make loose blocks of the colors I saw around me in the forest. Then, I transcribed what I heard (gurgling water, ravens, songbirds) as scribbles onto the page.

Reflections:

Where in your life might a shift perspective illuminate something that needs attention? What could benefit from turning the dial up or down in intensity?

Drawn into Nature Journey begins soon--will you join us?

Would you like to practice tuning into nature's wisdom with your journal?

Want a reason for making time for you and your nature journaling?

Join me for Drawn into Nature Journey where we'll explore various topics and nature friends or allies to interpret the messages they have for each of us. We'll create time in or days to devote to YOU and Nature, and start a new practice that's nourishing, de-stressing, and relaxes the hurrying. Next one starts August 25, more details here: