Watershed #23 - Stages of Life

This, the last weekend in September 2015, has been a wonderful experience on so many levels.  The weather is perfect: sunny, blue skies, temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s, dry with cooler nights.  Very nice!

With all that going on – what else but take a hike along a section of the 1000 mile long Ice Age Trail that passes near to the Gardens at Waters East.  The segment taken is known as the Ahnapee Trail – Forestville Ice Age Trail which follows alongside the Ahnapee River.

It started as a regular walk, enjoying the sights, the smells, the sounds of Autumn.  Lots to take in on this 8 mile, (12.87 kilometer) walk at this super time of year.  Once again lots of photos to share.

It didn’t take long before all the senses were attuned to what was right there around this hiker.  Imagine the colors of Fall flowers and berries, the soft aroma of the fallen leaves, the song of birds beginning to migrate South, an overload at its best on all that makes us human -  mind, body, heart, and spirit.

Then at times, when the gentle breeze stops, no rustling of the leaves in the trees, it happens – the sound of silence. With smart phones and earphones, conversations as bikers and hikers pass by, it is so difficult to be in the world of silence.  Often such a world of total silence is avoided.  People are afraid to go “within” to hear that inner voice – the soul of their live.  That can be a threat to some.  To others that is where they find full life, hope, dreams, and peace.  Pause for a moment.  Seriously pause for a moment.  Be still – breathing slowly, ever so slowly. Be Still and Know.  Hear the voice of silence – within.  Listen to its words in your heart.

Is it any wonder that this hike, on this day, turned into a “living meditation”, on life.  The stages of life that every living thing experiences – including you and me.

Take the time you want, go into this posting as far as you want, travel with me and discover a truth about all of us.

If you decide to stop reading after only a few photos and a few reflections, that is fine.  If you decide to read on until the final questions, that is fine too.  You are in total control.  As in all of life, you are in control of everything that happens to you – if only the control of how you react to what happens moment by moment as time,  your life, - - - marches on.

So now here is a reflective, meditative walk in the forest – reflecting on the stages of life my life, your life.

Meditate

Reflect

Enjoy the Moment

Some things are producing abundantly.

Some things are beginning to fall into their winter sleep.

Some things have passed and now rest in an eternal sleep.

Some things are the Food of Life for generations to come.

Some things are out enjoying the warmth and the sun. Enjoying the moments now.  It is a lesson for all of us – today is the only today we have.

There is beauty everywhere – just look, smell, listen.

Each being – including you – are full of beauty.  For some, it may yet not shine – but it is there ready to blossom forth – given the right conditions.

Look how life can nurture beauty – including you, including me.  And let it me noted, including the beauty we can nurture in others.  We are called to our better selves encouraging others to walk that path too.

Life is good.

The best can express itself – given half a chance – left to be the “gift” it is called to be, no judgment, no force, - - only acceptance of the other as the other chooses to live its beauty, to plant itself deeply rooted and grow with head held high toward the Light in its uniqueness expressing facets of the Sacred of breathtaking  Awe.

All is good.

You are good – even if at times flawed – you are “gift".

Beauty found in the most unlikely places and times.

Beauty found at every stage of life.

Beauty found within and without – You, Me, and everyone we meet.

Questions:

What stage of life-to-death are you living now?

What gives you wonder and delight in the moment?

What is your beauty that makes the world more whole for knowing you?

What is the sound of silence speaking to you – now?

NOTE:  Every photo posted on this Blog is always taken on the property of Gardens at Waters East – except those under the heading “Watershed”.  The watershed is that area of surrounding land, water, and streams beyond the gardens that nurture the gardens and eventually, slowly move East to find their way into Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes.

The easy definition of a watershed is:  the area of land where all the water that is under it or drains off of it goes to a shared destination.  In the case of Gardens at Waters East. Lake Michigan is that destination.

Your comments are always welcome