EARTH, SOIL, DIRT, LAND, GROUND

What is most often seen as a common, simple part of our world really has complex and nourishing characteristics.  The human race (at least our western world) has evolved to pave over, build on and landscape the land which results in separating us from the source of life.  Here's a quote taken from David Suzuki's book 'The Sacred Balance'

Soil offers far less to attract our attention than a marsh or tidal pool. Close inspection might reveal twigs, pebbles, perhaps a worm or a beetle and a matrix of tiny particles of sand.  But the microscope exposes a far richer world, a place of ancient alchemy where hard and soft, liquid and gaseous combine, and where organic and inorganic, animal, vegetable and mineral all interact.  Petals, leaves and stems fall from a plant to become compost for the seeds of that plant - death turns into life, grows up, feeds life and dies again, returning to the workshop underground to be restored to life. Almost all of the nitrogen that is essential for life must be made available through the action of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, most of which are in the soil. The soil is a microcosm where all the relationships of the larger world play out; in this element, earth, the other three unite - air, water and energy together create the vitality of the soil. Every cubic centimeter of soil and sediment teems with billions of microorganisms; the soil produces life because it is itself alive.

All that we need to sustain our life originates from the ground. Our food, the water, and shelter all come from the land. Of course human intellect has created other ways to sustain human life without relying solely on nature's gifts, but at one time what came from the earth was all a human had to survive on. 'The Sacred Balance' has been an enlightening read and I highly recommend it for anyone with a respect for the outdoors.

THE SACRED BALANCE @ BARNES & NOBLE

Being

I went out to see, to touch, to smell, to hear, to taste the love of nature. 

I saw trees, animal tracks, birds

I touched snow, air, wood

I smelled crispness, freshness, cold

I heard wind, chirping, water

I tasted energy, breath

I went outside with all my senses attuned to the forest life.  I took so much in. 

What was the most meaningful for me?

None of the above.

I felt myself outside.  Being

LINKED TO WATER

I've gotten so much more connected with nature's liquid life; water. 

"The Sacred Balance" by David Suzuki (et al) is my current read and not even half way through the book, I am already filled with so much new information.  I'll admit that some of the facts go a bit over my head, at least for now, as there is quite alot of chemistry/science teachings that are a bit beyond my comprehension as I'm reading through.  Not so much so that I'm completely lost, but this will surely be a book I'll be returning to to get a better understand of the more technical data.  Mostly I'm gaining a better appreciation for the intricate makeup of our earth. 

A quote from the book on how water connects us with the earth:

Basically, each of us is a blob of water with enough macro-molecular thickening to give us some stiffness and to keep us from dribbling away. Every day, about 3 per cent of the water in our bodies is replenished with new molecules. The water molecules that perfuse every part of our bodies have come from all the oceans of the world, evaporated from prairie grasslands and the canopies of all the world's great rain forests. Like air, water physically links us to all other forms of life.

To check out "The Sacred Balance" click below.

THE SACRED BALANCE @ BARNES & NOBLE

LOVIN' SKIING

Just back from a ski through the yard.  Actually, it's 50 or so acres of trees, trail and animal tracks that's out our front door, but we consider it our personal play area.  Cross-country Skiing is a fairly new endeavor for me and for the sake of my body and mind I'm sure glad I've finally started doing it.  I've possessed these cross-country skis for at least 10 years and I can probably count the number of times I've used them on my one hand before two weeks ago.  Always a desire, just not the motivation.  Before I lived where I am now, it wasn't as easy to go skiing.  There was planning involved to find a location to ski at, then packing up the skis, and if I was going to go the that much work, I felt the need to make it a long skiing expedition, so I pretty much needed hours of a day to devote to skiing.  Therefore, there wasn't much skiing before my country living.  However, this is now close to 3 years living here and motivation was still a little lacking for the previous two winters, but I'm happy, refreshed and invigorated to say that I've found a new passion. 

I had 30 minutes to devote to a little physical activity, so I slipped on my snowpants, put on my super cozy, warm coat and tied up my new ski boots (a little investment I made to help motivate me to get out there). 

Do I ever appreciate the country life where I step out my door, put on my skiis and glide on a beautiful excursion through nature.  

I allowed my dog to come with me, which is pretty safe to say is a trip without wildlife.  Unless, of course, I get a glimpse of a startled animal darting from the imposed threat of my dog.  I did get to see the many signs of all our forest animals from the many tracks in the fresh fallen snow and I still got to marvel at how a whole community of animals lives so close but are rarely seen.

Ahhh!  How my short, little skiing excursions rejuvenate me and bring a welcome change in my outlook on my daily life. 

Do I love skiing so much because of the deep respect I've acquired for the naturally occurring world or for the great cardio workout I get? 

Well, I think I just know it brings me joy and invigoration and I don't need to put much thought into it. 

The beauty of the nature connection.

RECONNECT

A point of contemplation:

Is society's disconnection with nature and addiction to technology and materialism the root cause of so much discontent around us?

"Stop and smell the roses."

Slow down and commune with the naturally appearing world.  There are numerous ways to reconnect with nature, but what's important is that we all do something regularily to feel that connection to the outdoors.  An important thing to remember when you're out taking a walk or a run, doing some cross-country skiing (my new favourite), or mowing the lawn/shovelling the snow, is to really be where you are.

Don't get lost in thought! 

Listen to the sounds, notice the sound of your feet making contact with the ground, the air, animals, really listen.

Watch how the the birds fly, see the trees moving, notice all the different colours that are just naturally there.

I used to use my walking time to think, think, and think some more.  Until I realized how much more peaceful and satisfying it was to take in all that world out there.  A little thought happens now and again but when I'm outside, I choose to control it.  I take a few deep breaths, following the air going into my body to rejuvenate, then feeling all that unnecessary thought exhaling with my breath, bringing me back to being part of nature.Taken while my husband and I wandered through the bush on our property