Sunday, August 24, 2014

Weeding and wandering

 When deadlines are pushing and pressuring and I'm getting behind with everything,
and spring is knocking on the door of the earth, wanting to push through, and I'm in a time of creativity and growth, which is exciting, but threatens to overwhelm,
 then even though there's been no time for weeks, and certainly no time now, I need to just break away and make for the bach.

And take time to wander—
 along the soothing banks of the stream. What perfect timing. This is the first fine weekend for weeks and weeks.
It's time to observe what is happening in nature. While in the bach garden, weeds are pushing up their heads everywhere, along the stream the dry vestiges of winter rattle in the wind.
 Pulling weeds is satisfying when the mind is cluttered. Wandering is even better, following the curve of the stream without any sense of a goal,
 letting the wind blow away anxiety and refresh my spirit,
opening up space inside - and then the talk falls into place, and the writing project begins to breathe. The deadlines become lifelines, dancing in the breeze. Everything seems possible once more. 
Sometimes the best thing to do when there's no time to be in nature, is simply to be in nature.

18 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Juliet - we need to spread our wings don't we .. and to visit Nature once again ...

How lovely that Spring is coming for you .. and good weekends out at the Bach ... and that meandering walk ...

Life will care for itself, but you need to give it that extra bit of love ... enjoy your beautiful country .. cheers Hilary

Juliet said...

Hilary, it's always a good feeling to know that spring is close. It's my birthday today, and spring feels like a pretty good birthday present. Thanks, and I hope to catch up with yours and others blogs soon, when the deadlines/lifelines have been meet.

Marja said...

Sometimes the best thing to do when there's no time to be in nature, is simply to be in nature.
Fantastic quote. Yes than you need it the most. I am such an addict I can't go for long without it. Great you have a place to retreat to.

Juliet said...

Thanks Marja.. You are a fellow nature-lover, so you understand this very well.

Juliet said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Juliet. Sometimes, spring, with its bursting-forth and high energy seems to produce an air of anxiety, a feeling of hurry-up, which can be trying. It's lovely if we can push back with a little 'being'.

Juliet said...

Gallivanta, thank you for these wise words, which are so true. There must always be space made for 'being'.

Hotly Spiced said...

I always find time in the garden to be very therapeutic. Yes, there are signs of Spring and I'm overjoyed! xx

Penny O'Neill said...

Happy Birthday, Juliet! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

What a wonderfully uplifting post. I especially like your last lined "Sometimes the best thing to do when there's no time to be in nature, is simply to be in nature." I've had those moments in time where I just needed to go into nature - and I've always been better for doing it.

Juliet said...

*Charlie, spring is always so welcome, isn't it? Thank you.

* Penny, you are another nature lover and I always enjoy your excursions into the wilds. Thank you for your kind remarks and birthday wishes.

Marja said...

Belated happy birthday Juliet Hope you had a great day. Nice coincidence: I am connected to a few people who's birthday is around this time

Juliet said...

Thanks Marja. We have a lot of August birthdays in the family too. I had a lovely day.

Friko said...

How right you are.
Nature helps soothe the spirit yet it also urges creativity.

And it’s free, has no middleman and is endlessly encouraging and forgiving.

Juliet said...

Friko, what wise words you speak about nature. I hope your garden is giving you much pleasure. Thank you.

Vicki Lane said...

How beautiful! Yes, in Spring everything seems possible . . .

Juliet said...

Thank you Vicki. Spring is always so welcome; and you are tipping into autumn now, which has its own flavour.

Nadezda said...

Love your photos Juliet!
I think I can feel this wind and flying clouds, touch the dry last year grass and cold water in a river. Spring!
It's a treat to see the start of nature blooming.

Juliet said...

Nadezda, the wind was very strong on that day, and I found contrasts everywhere. Thank you.