The charms of nature-Spellbound
Yesterday was a bright, calm sunny morning. The sun shone over fields of amber grain, where red poppies danced in the wind’s breath. Across the dewy fields the cattle lay in verdant green pastures. Under the massing clouds, radiant dewdrops lay in shiny pouches, like a looking glass that lay upon the thistle heads which were cool to the touch. I noticed the beautiful white cup-shaped flowers of intertwined convolvulus amidst them. However, yesterday had become history, today is mystery, as I watched the waves of colour seeping layer upon layer through the dark clouds and observed how they began to race each other across the open fields. The dawn was glorious, the air filled with song, with each bird proclaiming the new day.
As I returned to this special place, the wind began to blow, and the scene changed once again. High above I could hear the starlings’ incredible repertoire of whistles, trills and chatter in the tall green crest towers of the trees. I suddenly became aware of the peace and beauty that surrounded me. Harmoniously, through the sunny hours Maverick and I decided to rest a while, and the moments began to grow.
In the skies above, white clouds veiled the sun, but a few ethereal rays came through bedazzling me. Maverick however, whimpered softly, couched in gentle sleep, lazily swinging his tail. This dreamy place was a re-set for me, seeing, feeling, listening and noticing. A time to dream, just like Maverick, a time to remember, a time to be, and I welcomed the hospitality that welcomed me.
The pleasure of this world is about looking harder. I always believed that becoming closer to nature could help salve our hurts. I often found myself as deep as a hidden well, as I started to dream. Whilst drifting into unsavoury moods, there were moments in my early years, that felt all consuming as I questioned everything about myself. I often wished that the past would invite me back enabling me to change it. There were also times when my visceral feelings gave me wings, just like Noah’s dove.
For a long time, somewhere in my heart, I have always known, for every pain that bowed my head, and those lonely, endlessly long night-fears, when I was hurled back into those dark dreams. When life challenged me, Mother Nature always got me though, humbling me in such a way that my needs became less over time.
In the creeping trance of time whenever something flooded my thoughts, my hypergraphia note taking would begin. My little notebooks also contained my thoughts and my dreams which kept me safe. They are just words and pictures that float through my mind, like sparks off an anvil, they also gave meaning once I replaced my negative thoughts with positive ones. Inspiration would come from within me, the fear of living had disappeared. For FEAR (face everything and rise) I believe is a sacred knowledge. From a taper of light, I began to see a flickering flame.
When people tried to depose me and I became overshadowed by negativity and strife, I would find solace in the power of words. I believe sometimes the best people work in shadows. The words, however, became the threads of inspiration, woven through the pages of my precious journals. I hope not to define myself by suffering, for knowing the footsteps I have taken reflect on the journey I have travelled, and the experiences that have shaped me. I believe life can be simple and yet we seem to insist on making it complicated. However, I must confess that I have a profound sense of gratitude for every single experience has led me to the place I am now.
As I lift the curtains of my eyes, a water ouzel, a dipper of sovran instinct came to drink from the stream close by, every sip taken she says grace. Morphed in concern Maverick’s eyes were beseeching her, but he remains pure and guileless. In this scintillating moment as I began to percolate my next story, like an eyelids soundless blink a charm of thistle tweekers, goldfinches with their many young began stripping the thistle heads to gorge themselves on the milky-soft seeds inside. The scene became magical; their gyrating’s released the floss from the many seedheads but paid no attention to the gentle breath of wind as they floated sailing along like stage smoke on the crossing breeze.
The restorative connection between nature and inner peace has revealed a direct path to mental stillness and an emotional balance, for the charms of nature can act as a portal to inner peace and a gentle guide for one’s heart. Your quiet, calm rest and peace is won (parta quies). Little did I know that the sartorial whispers of Mother Nature would provide a sanctuary of stillness, beauty and elegance, enabling me to reach the unreachable.
