Being in Nature

Being in Nature
Nature has always been an organizing structure in my life. It is the church in which I worship. It is woven in the depths of my soul and the fibers of my being. It is the life giving source in my life.
Thinking about overcoming adversity leads to reflections on nature. There are many lessons to be learned from time outside. Nature has a way of moving on in a cyclical way, incorporating disasters, epic events and day to day flow.
I often marvel at the many directions a tree grows. Every time it encounters an obstacle it just grows around it, creating wonderful curves and bends. Trees can thrive in hostile, barren environments, causing one to wonder how it can sustain life in those conditions.
In 2009, an epic event happened in my life when I was diagnosed with Scleroderma, and over the course of a few years the list grew to include Sjogren’s and Rheumatoid Arthritis. None are on the top ten list of things you want and all impacted the way I am in the world. In the language of a tree, I hit a snag that has added character to my growth and some amazing bends in my structure.
Nature has offered a place of refuge as I learned to live with a new way of being in a body that was no longer the strong, healthy and robust body it had once been. The Bearded One has spent hours helping me fine tune gear that would allow me to be outside even in the worst weather conditions. He, and many friends have patiently accompanied me into the mountains, offering support and a helping hand when things got difficult. Letting go of the expectation of what should be allows space for the joy of what is.
Learning new ways of being outside has slowed my pace, has brought increased awareness and appreciation of every experience and detail along my path. This in turn, has helped me translate my experience into a wander for others to enjoy.
Not everyone can get to the places I can, but everyone can enjoy a wander with me. I have found great joy in the sharing of my wanders and the interaction with others. Sharing a wander with me, in person or virtually is the highlight of every wander.
Come wander with me!
WanderJill