The Way

I went on a walk the other day, and noticed feathers along the way.

It was like a sign from the universe, one I was asking for, beckoning me to proceed through the woods in a gentle manner.

A tough few weeks it has been, my capacities stretched to discomfort. A walk in the woods always helps, giving me solace to be enveloped in Nature’s embrace.

We stroll in quiet, noticing leaves, branches, holly and ivy. Noticing how roots meander over and under the soil. We observe the hues of autumn echoing through a shifting landscape. Feathers continue to appear.

It’s a time for shedding. A time to let go. The time has come to choose not to hold onto the past. Shed to regrow, shed to renew.

It is in our nature as human beings to cling onto the past, holding onto narratives that refuse to part ways with our souls. Why not be a bird, dropping feathers that no longer serve a purpose? Why not embrace the constant renewal and regeneration of our selves? The cyclical nature of our natural world has always had a purpose.

Our ancestors have learned so much from the observation of Nature. Watching carefully, the art of noticing. Taking it in and processing what we’ve seen with a dose of intuition and a dash of wisdom. How we are has always been an imitation of life around us.

I know the feathers were there to show me the way. The way to be kind to myself, how I should pay attention, not just to my surroundings, but to how my heart and mind interacts in this one precious life that I have.

What will you do with your one precious life?