Rejuvenation of the Soul

 

Tiny Petals - cc photo by J. Delp

Yesterday, I returned from a three-week Kansas visit with my family. The trip marked the beginning of a new season for me as I step away from public education after twenty-six years ¹. I spent the past fourteen years maintaining a frenetic pace of life as a public junior high school principal. For me, being someplace new forces me to slow down -- especially in rural Kansas ². 

The noise of our world is exhausting. Reports of tragedy, injustice, and insanity form intricate webs that ensnare our wandering and worried minds. Not only do we have our own problems to deal with, but we are bombarded with messages that encourage us to "worry about this...and that...and also this." We become so busy that we frequently fail to see the subtle beauty that surrounds us. 

Nature provides respite from the world's noise. Not just time in the forest (although this is a worthwhile investment), but through the intricate details of our immediate surroundings. The soft and symmetrical petals of a flower. The colorful palette of birds at a backyard feeder. The brilliant green of a blade of grass. The breathtaking formation of a thunderhead on the horizon. The relative strength, tenacity, and ingenuity of an ant (Want to be amazed? Watch: Secret Megalopolis of Ants Uncovered).  Many of the intricacies of the natural world are beyond our understanding and ability to explain. Each hints at a power beyond us -- a reminder that we do not have to (nor can we) be in control. 

The point is not to go through life gawking at the birds, and trees, and butterflies -- oblivious to the issues and concerns of others. We should not ignore pain or injustice in our world. However, deliberately seeking out the beauty and wonder that surrounds us serves as a reminder that we should surrender our need for  control and allow ourselves to be amazed by the ordinary. There is beauty and hope in the world that can rejuvenate the soul and provide the strength needed to make a difference. 

Slow down. Take notice. Be amazed. Have faith. Breathe.

¹ This blog is intended to be part of my "re-wiring" process. I enjoy writing and plan to make it a consistent part of my daily routine. I'll share my thoughts (and some photos), but you are under no obligation to read them.

² Keep in mind that rural Kansas is a good place for ME to slow down because I am away from my other obligations. A farmer in the middle of wheat harvest with a thunderstorm on the horizon is likely to experience urgency and some anxiety. Their experience will be much different than mine.