It's busy right now.
Really busy.
Your days feel short and you're getting buried beneath your list of things to do.
And soon it's easier to get lost in what should be instead of what could be.
That to-do list isn't gonna to-do itself, you know.
And so you tick off a few items.
You make progress.
And it's slow.
And then you look outside.
And it is not a perfect day.
It's wet. And chilly.
(Or maybe for you it's the city. Or the heat. Or the snow.)
And yet…
You grab your boots and rain – or snow or city or whatever – be damned, you get out there.
You get in it.
And out there it's messy.
Unpredictable.
And vast.
And you never know if you'll earn yourself an entire bonus laundry just because you got out there.
(You will.)
And you know that your to-do list will be waiting when you come home.
(It will.)
But you go anyway.
And then you're in it.
And everything begins to shift.
Because even if you stall or make excuses or act busy, when you finally get there you always wonder what took you so long.
Because this is where you belong.
Here.
Where you see magic everywhere you look.
In the fog, the clouds, the hills, the mouse holes.
(Or the skyline. The street lights. This world you call home.)
In the dance of the dried leaves in the wind and the feel of the mist on your cheeks.
And you didn't know that the rain left gems glinting on every blade of grass.
And you didn't know how unearthly the quiet was until you closed the door behind you and heard your boots squish upon the soft, wet earth.
And you didn't know where the birds were roosting, silent in the trees with their feathers puffed against the cold.
But mostly you didn't know how deeply your soul needed out.
Until you got there.
Outside.
In it.
And yes, there will be more mud than you were expecting.
But you adapt.
You laugh.
You get dirty and wet and cold.
You play games and hold hands are breathe more deeply than a moment before.
Because now you're out.
You're in it.
And you can feel everyone coming alive once more.
There's no going back.
So what are you doing in here?
Get out there.
Get in it.
Today.
There's still time.
Beautiful photos! Beautiful world 🙂
rachel, i’m really enjoying the prose-y sort of writing you’ve been creating lately. maybe it’s another book! love to you.
I have never felt more akin to you as I have in this post. It is exactly how I feel. When I have a headache or am not quite myself or if I am tired or restless there is nothing better for me or my girl than some nature therapy. ( no matter how cold it can be)
Snow is finding its way to Indiana! Your land is gorgeous! And your girl- so sweet!
beautiful pictures.
Love the pics. And the words.
It’s so incredible how the universe is so connected if we just slow down and listen. Your words expressed EXACTLY how I felt the other day when I left everything on my to-do list and got out there! WOW, i am just baffled and loving how we all are universally the same..where ever we are..
Have you seen this beautiful documentary “the animal communicator” absolutely beautiful..
http://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/play/11936/The-Animal-Communicator
Love this. Thanks for the reminder. We got a dusting of snow last night and my toddlers want to go play in it. I wasn’t too sure, because it is very cold. But even if we bundle up and go outside for 20 min. it will be worth it. Your pictures are beautiful.
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you for this. 🙂
Yes! We’re in the middle of an ice storm and I’m planning to venture out in just a few minutes!
Yes – We JUST watched this! We watch very, very few movies but a friend of a friend is in this and so it came recommended. So amazing and inspiring!
Many thanks for your magical words, from our home- winter is Israel, UnSchooling familly 🙂
sending lots of love
Inbal
Thanks, Kendra.
Love.
So sweet!
Hi Rachel,
I’ve written a few posts lately about how to enjoy the (rather beastly) winter weather, so I loved reading this piece from you. (Magical writing and photos, par for the course for you!) I included it in my weekend roundup of “Joyful Reads for the Weekend.” Here’s the link to it: http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2013/12/joyful-reads-for-the-weekend-vol-5.html.
Keep warm and cozy this weekend–or else just get out in it and enjoy!
Best,
Joy
Thank you, Joy!
Beautiful and true. And the part about the rain and the wet definitely applies to a lot of the year here in the Pacific Northwest.