Somewhere along the way, I seemed to have lost the wonder and ah in life. I’ve been learning about the Japanese practice of forest bathing and other forms of tree therapy. Spending time soaking up the atmosphere in the forest, using all senses when walking through the forest, brings such a feeling of peace, restoration and refreshment. It’s so strange to me that I don’t spend more time enjoying the trails and paths of the forest that is steps outside of my doorway. As the scriptures say:
“What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise.” Romans 7:15 MSG
Being in nature helps restore my awe and wonder of creation, it is always a spiritual experience for me. As the movie Avatar says: the forest is a network of energy flowing through everything. I want to learn more about this energy and participate in it as much as possible this year. To do this well, I have connected with others who are further along than me, community is important. It has been many, many years since I have felt connected to a spiritual community, and this is a missing part in my life, a deep longing in my heart. At the same time realizing that the past experiences I have had, good and bad, will never be again and this is good. Believe me, it doesn’t always feel good though. I have changed, grown and developed as a person and a spiritual being. The familiar spiritual path of my past no longer fits with my current beliefs, there is no going back. This leaves me in this liminal space. The benefits of this space is that as long as I stay open and accepting, something new and beautiful will appear, new life will be created.
Every year a word comes to me, usually throughout December, leading up to the New Year. This year was no different. My word for this year is “O”
I will talk more about this very small word in my next post and throughout the year as I, myself, am learning more.
Peace and love to all this New Year 💕😊
Life Quest 