Category: landscape

Letting go

When other trees are already donning their spring greens, the beech tree is still holding on to last year’s leaves. I want to tell him – and, perhaps, myself as well – “Let go of the past. Open yourself for new opportunities.” I hope that soon the beech tree will embrace the fresh green colors of spring as well!

Faith in the water

“I see a stream with slow moving sections and patches of turbulence. I can sense it is drawn towards something bigger than itself – the lake sitting miles from its origin. I notice the water doesn’t question where it’s going – it just keeps moving.

“I look at the rocks under the strong current and observe that they are still and solid. They remain secure enough not to lose their grounded and nurturing attachment to the earth while being incessantly thrust upon. I suspect they trust in their purpose to slow down the speed of the water.

“Occasionally, I watch a leaf fall from its source. It lands in the stream and begins its way to the chaotic water. I ask myself if the leaf was clumsy and lost its true nature or if it was forced there by the winds because it was too stubborn to let go. No matter. It doesn’t fight the inevitable or swim like mad to return where it came from. The leaf surrenders to the short lived patterns of being spun around, dunked, and flipped over, knowing she will make her way to a new stretch of calm water.

“I take a deep breath by this stream and tell myself that it’s time for more faith when my waters are turbulent, for more trust, and a stronger sense that I am moving where I need to go – a place I can’t see yet, but know is there.”

– Carol Cooley

(Photo taken in Wilderness, South Africa)