Noland Trail

Giving a Voice to the Noland Trail

As we walked along the Noland Trail, I was in touch with my surroundings more than I had ever been before. I listened, smelled, tasted, and touched in an all new way. I smelled the rosemary busch. This smell reminded me of the wildness of the trail. It reminded me that once you enter the trail, you’re part of the wildness of the trail. The freshness of the rosemary, made me think of the fresh start one receives when they embark on a new journey. As we entered the open air, I hear the rhythmic waves continuously beating the shoreline. It beauty remained constant even with its ferocious nature. As I look to the trees that have grown on the shoreline, I see the strength of a tree that has remained constant in the midst of the storms that the waves have caused. So, as I de-centered myself even more and was patient with the grounds, I was able to achieve something new. This newness was “deep seeing”. I was able to reflect on the past month of my life. I was able to see the flowers, the trees, the animals and the honeysuckle in a beautiful way. I was able to connect with them and have God speak to me through something called general revelation. I was able to see God’s beauty all around me.

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