When I take the time – when I invest in rising early and getting away from all the technology and to do lists, all the striving, trying, doing, figuring out – I’m always, always rewarded.  Two things amaze me every time.  The first is that taking time in nature is absolutely free.  Aside from the gas and the $1.00 toll to get back home over the Mississippi River Bridge, I don’t pay anything for my sunrise walks.  The second is how much it seems that time spent simply walking amidst the plants and the animals ought to be worth.  How do you put a price on inner peace?  Really.  It never fails that I’m more relaxed, more clear, and more centered.  And it also never fails that no matter what the weather, no matter what season, I’m also filled with wonder and appreciation.  And whatever my “big deal” plans for the day, month, or year are – well they’re all well and good, but they’re truly minor in the grand scheme of the shifting of the seasons or the life span of a tree.  Or the age of the moon.  Whatever’s really important in my life rises to the top when I spend part of my day walking quietly in nature.

Please enjoy this selection from my most recent walks, and if you’re in the NOLA area, join me for a wordless sunset/moonrise walk this Friday evening, December 28.  We’ll meet at 4:30 at the Bayou Coquille trailhead, and spend a little bit of time setting some intentions for 2013 before we walk and see what nature has to reveal for us. Details here. Get in touch if you need more info!