This week, Peter and I participated in a guided wildflower hike that took us three miles into the forest of central Tennessee. In total, the journey amounted to a 6-mile-long hike woven around curiosity, learning, movement, and plenty of exertion. The day prior to this, we hiked a one-mile waterfall base trail that was marked “incredibly strenuous” on the sign for the ascent. So we were definitely feeling deep into our bodies and the environment around us.
In the midst of all the strenuous movement, immersion in nature, and inspiration from learning new things about the Earth, a soft knowing became a clear and present certainty.
On mile 4.5 of the 6-mile hike, a wave of creativity and inspiration crashed over me in a way that felt familiar, yet fresh.
With no laptop to begin working on, I dug my phone from the bottom of my bag, which usually stays tucked away on adventures, and began fervently jotting down every note as it rushed through my mind, catching all the lessons, inspirations, and ideations, and they swirled around.
Thus, Teachings from the Forest begins. A string of short and potent writings that have lived in the ether around me like seeds all bursting to bloom all at once. There is no set end to this, but rather a knowing of what grows from the forest, and what needs to sprout separately.
The first writing will follow this introductory article shortly, as these epiphanies are eager to dance out in the world. From there, Teachings from the Forest will trickle over time, woven in with the other writings and workings of Journey Home Healing.
So gather your most creative, open self, lace up your hiking shoes, and we shall journey into the trees to begin.