Odyssey Road

I’ve been spending some time reflecting on 2008 and looking forward to 2009. Tom Brown shares a couple of good ideas in his monthly newsletter. First of all, it is important to spend some time reflecting on our lives outdoors. Secondly, it may be a good idea to pick a spot in nature to heal for the year.

I can guess at many reasons for reflecting on our calling in life outdoors. I think it is important because during our reflection we should also consider ourselves in relation to the natural world. I’ve been feeling a little cabin fever lately, stuck inside in the cold. It is almost like sensory deprivation, but you don’t notice it until your outdoors and all senses return. It is important to feel the cold. Embrace the wind. Listen. The sensation of cold air on a clear and beautiful night definitely sets my mind at ease. Just being outside for a short time can be invigorating after being cooped up in the winter.

This afternoon, the temperature dropped rapidly after it had been raining all morning. The moisture froze to the trees. I went for a short walk this evening. The wind is really brisk, and I was struck by the sound of the frozen branches clicking together, like some icicle wind chime.

I look forward to spending some time in a natural setting reflecting on my place in this world.

I also really like the idea of finding a place to heal. The thought has occurred to me before. One of the reasons that we chose our house is its proximity to green space. I’ve often thought of planting native seedlings in our local park to support remaining wildlife. In that park, there is a tangle of downed cottonwood trees near some railroad tracks. It’s the closest thing to a forest in the park, but there’s very little diversity. It could use a stealth caretaker.