A walk on the Noland this morning. Experience outdoors
I try to spend time with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit in the mornings. It does not always happen, but it normally does. It looks like this: I open my journal, start writing and then I read a Psalm, think about it, maybe read it out loud. I then ask myself questions, ponder the context try to understand how this matters at all to me. It often ends with prayer and then I continue on with my day, having been reminded of the Truth that is around me. BUT, this time it was different.
I woke up this morning at 8, had breakfast with my best friend Michael. We had a wonderful conversation about what is going on in our lives. He had to work at nine, so I had two hours to myself before my class at 11. I decided to mix some things up, the weather was sunny and 65, the most ideal condition for a walk in on the Nolan.
I hopped on my bike and zipped down the waterfront, locking my bike and began my walk. I wanted it to be a time where I was with God but had no expectation on what would happen. I wanted to focus on being aware. Now it is difficult to be aware, especially with all the activities that occupy my time durning the week. The mornings often offer the only chance to step away for a short time. I began to walk, trying to pay more attention to the trees, their bark, their smell the way each one was unique and the life that flowed in-between the wood and bark. I noticed how some bark was almost like snake scales where others were moist and soft. I noticed the colors in the leaves and the size of these magnificent creatures of the woods.
I then came across this one tree that I believe owns the nickname tingle tongue due to the affect of numbness it has on the mouth if the sap is tasted. I broke a piece off to try it out. Had no affect on me but granted I didn't try very hard. As I was looking at this tree I noticed a slug. A SLUG? I had not seen a slug since I was a kid and was genuinely shocked to see a tiny 2 inch grey slug about chest height up on this tree. I poked it a few times hoping to see it move and with little luck, it began to slowly, very slowly move down the tree. It then showed off his two antenna's which I learned can be retracted into the body at its will. I probably watched this slug for 10 minutes, noticing two spiders in the area one right above my head and the other right in front of the slug.
I thought to myself, how blessed was I to get to see that. It was wonderful to see how just attempting to be aware ended up with a wonderful morning experience. There is something about going outside that aids the mind in practicing awareness and allowing the mind to relax, not having to do anything but BE.
I woke up this morning at 8, had breakfast with my best friend Michael. We had a wonderful conversation about what is going on in our lives. He had to work at nine, so I had two hours to myself before my class at 11. I decided to mix some things up, the weather was sunny and 65, the most ideal condition for a walk in on the Nolan.
I hopped on my bike and zipped down the waterfront, locking my bike and began my walk. I wanted it to be a time where I was with God but had no expectation on what would happen. I wanted to focus on being aware. Now it is difficult to be aware, especially with all the activities that occupy my time durning the week. The mornings often offer the only chance to step away for a short time. I began to walk, trying to pay more attention to the trees, their bark, their smell the way each one was unique and the life that flowed in-between the wood and bark. I noticed how some bark was almost like snake scales where others were moist and soft. I noticed the colors in the leaves and the size of these magnificent creatures of the woods.
I then came across this one tree that I believe owns the nickname tingle tongue due to the affect of numbness it has on the mouth if the sap is tasted. I broke a piece off to try it out. Had no affect on me but granted I didn't try very hard. As I was looking at this tree I noticed a slug. A SLUG? I had not seen a slug since I was a kid and was genuinely shocked to see a tiny 2 inch grey slug about chest height up on this tree. I poked it a few times hoping to see it move and with little luck, it began to slowly, very slowly move down the tree. It then showed off his two antenna's which I learned can be retracted into the body at its will. I probably watched this slug for 10 minutes, noticing two spiders in the area one right above my head and the other right in front of the slug.
I thought to myself, how blessed was I to get to see that. It was wonderful to see how just attempting to be aware ended up with a wonderful morning experience. There is something about going outside that aids the mind in practicing awareness and allowing the mind to relax, not having to do anything but BE.
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