Never Forget

Have you ever been invited by the water to know where you belong? To strip away all the otherness between you and the great white pine, left standing on this shore, ignored by the loggers so many years ago?

That moment when the car needs to be unpacked, you ignore the routine, and leave the doors wide open allowing the flies to explore the basket of laundry you took home to wash. And the ice in the coolers is forgotten and left to melt.

Instead, the white pine and the watery womb of the lake pull you down to the shore. Unseen energy moves you into Oneness.  There is no division.

Tears fill your eyes, and you are suspended in this moment. Nothing else exists. It is only this, now. There is no past, no future, no separation of time or place. Everything within you, and without is perfection.

You are part of it all. The great Divine Oneness. Clouds are yours too, and you are theirs. The poplar trees clap their leafy hands appreciating your noticing. An audience in the woods.

The shadows, the cedar tree, the small purple flower you don’t remember ever seeing here before. All belongs to you and you to them. The rocks reach up and hold your feet steady, grateful you have visited and grateful for your trust in them.

The energetic pull to remain here forever is mesmerizing but you let go of trying to understand or analyze this moment. You take the time to just be in it.  Not rush away this time.

And you wonder, could anyone, ever, at any time, feel more alive? You search for the words. Is this what you describe as being in the presence of God within you, within everything? And you know even that is inadequate, and limited by culture and religion. So you extend your arms out wide trying to hold It all, allowing It to become part of you, hoping you will never forget.

Janet Elizabeth Hartwick Sterk

August 24, 2019

Janetsterkhealingjourneys.com

8 Responses

  1. Cara

    So beautiful Janet! Perfect sacred reflection for my Sunday morning. Off to take a solo walk along Minnehaha Parkway and enjoy being outside on a wondrous day. Your description of your experience reminds me to be awake and watching…to feel the beauty of the gifts we’re given and to commune with all that is sacred in the moments.

    • HealingJourneys

      Thank you Cara, I am so glad it spoke to you. It is a glorious day! I have walked by your place each morning and paused to send it and you good loving energy. Thank you.

  2. Debra Palmquist

    These phrases will stick with me.

    The poplar trees
    clap their leafy hands appreciating your noticing. An audience in the woods.

    You take the time to just be in it.

    So you extend your arms out wide trying to hold It all, allowing It to become part of you, hoping you will never forget.

    This scene takes me to moments bursting with that feeling of oneness with nature, when we are free and able to see everything. Yes, unforgettable. How beautiful to have this experience and share it with us.

    • HealingJourneys

      Thank you Deb. I know you are right there with me in this appreciation.

  3. Cynthia Melvin

    Janet, you write so beautifully. I am almost there on the shore on the rock, listening to the poplar trees applause. The image fills me with peace and certainty we do connect with God’s love in nature. Thank you.

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