Stepping Into New
Stepping into 2020 many of us are fraught with worries about what the future may hold. Here at The Wild Institute, we planned to start this year by talking about ways to deepen our skills of being Wildly Present.
Surrender
What if surrendering was the most true and lion-hearted way of being? I know, I know, I hate it too. I shudder as I write these words being no fan of anything that smacks of giving up... or, let’s be honest here, of the sense of not being in control. But some part of me feels the truth of this.
The Play of Light
Today it’s the play of light:
for an instant, just the tops of trees are touched by morning sun.
Churning grey clouds bring into focus the sun-kissed leaves
turning green hues to glowing gold.
Yesterday it was the breathtaking outline of seed heads–
wild grasses swaying in the […]
For the Earth Warriors
We are a crafty lot. And when you need to sigh or cry or fall apart there are others here to help you pick up the pieces and begin again. And again. Until we tilt the circumstances or die trying. This beautiful world is worth it. And you, Earth Warrior, are part of that beauty.
Purpose Matters
Herein lies Bear's great wisdom...Purpose Matters. It matters to everyone, not just the leaders. Especially if it's not clear why the change is happening. Perhaps there is a change in priorities based on a vision for the future. Or there is a new regulation or maybe a different protocol that creates more work, not less. It's understandably hard to get on board with some of these changes.
Re-Wilding
Re-Wilding, in the world of conservation, means restoring an area of land to it's natural uncultivated state, particularly reintroducing species of plants or wild animals that have been driven out or exterminated.
Wild Grief
Listen to Chris read “Wild Grief”
Start up close and from the back side.
Don’t reach for the long view yet.
It’s too much to ask of your grieving heart.
Look close up, to the silhouette of seed heads on Wild grass.
Stand behind a sunflower, on the back side,
where each extended petal glows with sunlight.
When Wild grief envelops […]
Nothing is Wasted
There is a different, far more compassionate way to look at these feelings. It's almost impossible to see once you are off and running, but if you can pause as this bubbles up, there's a good chance you can re-direct this train of thought. Because even feelings of discomfort or misalignment are useful. If you are living a Wild purposeful life, it really does matter that you feel lined up, at least in some aspects of your life. Here's the thing that can bring me back from the freefall of catastrophizing or questioning everything... Nothing is wasted.
The Myth of Arrival
Our culture perpetuates the myth of Arrival. Like if we really pulled it all together, we could be that polished, calm, energetic, accomplished individual that we see reflected in the stereotypes of our imagination. Personally or professionally, this deception of arrival is insidious and dangerous. It lures us into believing that it's possible to be complete, inside or out. That if we just worked a little longer, dug a little deeper, ate the right foods, or tried harder, somehow, we would cross a threshold into a land of competent and peaceful completion.
Just as Winter Insists
Snow!!! And lots of it!
We snow lovers have been waiting
with varying degrees of patience…or not.
But the skies have opened.
Winter finally decided to decorate.
She woke from her long slumber
and brushed the snow from her den.
Flakes came down with steady swirling grace,
crystal upon crystal, until there were inches.
And more inches. And she’s not finished yet.
Deep drifts cover […]
