Reflections from the Northwest Woods
The landscape and the creatures of the Northwest generate a unique inspiration to the ambler and wanderer who venture along its myriad and welcoming paths. Personally, I am a stroller in the woods. Often just out on a short jaunt into a local greenbelt, but the aura and beauty that I find there awakens my spirit. I reflect on values and contributions that these plants and animals have made across generations. More so, I become curious as to how the Native Americans or First People saw these same natural surroundings and learned to appreciate and interact with it.
However, now I ponder how best we may preserve and conserve these wild places, so that my grandchildren and others may enjoy their uniqueness into the future. I also treasure their matchless place in the earth’s ecology. With each encroachment, I witness more acutely the fragile web of life that encompasses our planet, our spaceship Earth. Not wanting to dwell in fear of change for the coming days, I must put forth my faith in the resilience of nature and also the ability of humankind to learn her lessons and unravel her mysteries. So for this "tao" or reflections, I have chosen the following encounters to share: spontaneity, simplicity, courage, grace, compassion, cheerfulness, truth, generosity, balance, clarity. While these are not the only ones about which to write, these are a beginning. Others that I may write of in the future include patience, beauty, kindness. My contentment comes in the hope that my reader will share in the joys that I find along these meandering paths.
However, now I ponder how best we may preserve and conserve these wild places, so that my grandchildren and others may enjoy their uniqueness into the future. I also treasure their matchless place in the earth’s ecology. With each encroachment, I witness more acutely the fragile web of life that encompasses our planet, our spaceship Earth. Not wanting to dwell in fear of change for the coming days, I must put forth my faith in the resilience of nature and also the ability of humankind to learn her lessons and unravel her mysteries. So for this "tao" or reflections, I have chosen the following encounters to share: spontaneity, simplicity, courage, grace, compassion, cheerfulness, truth, generosity, balance, clarity. While these are not the only ones about which to write, these are a beginning. Others that I may write of in the future include patience, beauty, kindness. My contentment comes in the hope that my reader will share in the joys that I find along these meandering paths.
