Life models many aspects of nature, don’t you think?
This week has been marked by some extremely high tides and, in concert, I felt tides rising around me:
- My good friend found out she is faced with some severe health problems.
- I received word that my family’s farm in the Midwest was pummeled with grapefruit-sized hail and the nearby city experienced multiple tornadoes.
- Lovely San Diego rocked from a 5.9 earthquake (epicenter was about forty miles away).
- A friend who I love dearly and from whom I have divined deep inspiration recently tested HIV positive.
- I can’t put into words the devastation I feel because of the continued demolition of the Gulf of Mexico.
What the heck is going on? Life felt as though the tide had risen too high and I wanted the ocean to sweep all this bad news away.
Yesterday morning, I went for a brief walk to clear my head and soon after I started, a butterfly the size of the palm of my hand crossed my path.
And then it hovered there.
And fluttered.
And flittered about.
It was like she was winking at me—she was just enough to make my day a shade brighter.
Since then, the highest tides have flattened, and:
- My friend found out that with surgery she should make a strong recovery.
- No one was hurt from the storms back home.
- San Diego did not suffer any major damage.
- The doctors say with the appropriate drug cocktail and diet, my friend is likely to die from old age.
- I’m still pissed about the oil spill—but my husband and I have put in place an even stricter “oil use” policy for us. (No more petroleum candles [only soy], he stopped driving to work [only walking and cycling], limit purchase of petroleum-containing products, we signed up for local vegetable/fruit community garden pick up program [win-win!]).
And, so it goes. Tomorrow the 18th brings the first-quarter moon, the tidelines continue to flatten, and life becomes more even keel.
I am amazed how life mimics nature. Have we gotten so far from nature that this synergy seems a little surprising (even to little ‘ole me)?
I want to hear what you have to say about nature and synergy.
I grew up on a farm and have always felt a very close connection to nature (sun, soil, rain, sky) and for the past ten years, the ocean is my connection to nature. Maybe in my former life I was a woodland nymph?
What about you? Do you find your emotions or life rolls with the tide, moon phases, or other natural cycles?
[Photo courtesy Sudheer]
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Hi Lori .. this is an amazing post – teaching us that if we wait .. things will get sorted, sometimes we need to let things lie .. and life will change – it is so true.
The world changes all the time – all of it .. the earth, the oceans, plants, animals .. and us – we’re evolving ..
Life is not the same, each moment is different .. a different perspective .. it goes on ..
Have a great weekend – love what you’re doing at home .. thank you – Hilary
Hilary´s last [type] ..Ever Thought of a Map as an Encyclopedia?
Hi Hilary,
I love it when you visit, just seeing your avatar makes me smile.
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, the past weeks have been filled with challenges and I feel so much sadness for what everyone (and the planet) is going though. It does help for me to be proactive with what I do have control over (the very few things).
I noticed your link and need to head to your blog now, I am a map-o-phile! (I think I just made up that word, ha ha).
Enjoy your day, Hilary!
Hi Lori .. looking forward to seeing you over at the map-o-phile mappa mundi post! Enjoy ..
I know so many difficult things happening .. but nothing changes .. life goes on .. we might well be mucking it up a bit though I agree.
Absolutely doing what we can to conserve as much as we are able ..
Good for you .. and see you soon .. here, or there .. or there! Have fun – Hilary
Hilary´s last [type] ..Ever Thought of a Map as an Encyclopedia?
Funny thing about tides–after they reach their highest point, they recede. Just be weary when the tide goes out too far, too fast. A tidal was is on the way.
I like to say that our character shines on the peaks of life, but is tumbled and polished in the valleys.
Todd´s last [type] ..World Cup Mania
Hi Todd,
It’s funny about tides — I didn’t see the ocean until my 20s and I remember going for my first run on the beach (not really getting the whole “tide” thing) and my shoes getting filled with water. Man, did I feel dorky! And the four miles back home didn’t feel so great in the squishy shoes and socks.
What a great line, Todd, that our character is tumbled and polished in the valleys. That’s a keeper. If that’s the case, I should be pretty shiny by now.
Hi Lori,
As above, so below and vice versa. We are being awakened (and not very gently, it seems) to pay attention to what swirls around us and how all things (like it or not) are interconnected. You’ve gotten it and taken action. We all can do those seemingly small things that add up to big change.
While I am sensitive to small energies, I am aware of larger patterns around me but don’t “feel” them as others do. But the effects are really everywhere, as you mention.
Lisa@Practically Intuitive´s last [type] ..Adventures of an Intuitive
Hi Lisa,
Great to see you here again — you have an interesting site/blog.
I was surprised what just taking a few small things and changing my behavior has done to make me feel a little bit better about my contribution to the problem (demand for petroleum).
Thanks for your comments, they always add a unique pattern to the discussion.
~xo
Lori,
Sometimes it does come down to perspective.
In terms of your butterfly story, you should read Inspiration by Dr. Wayne Dyer. He has a great butterfly story in there that is remarkably similar to yours.
Nothing quite like getting in touch with nature to put yourself in touch with life.
George
George Angus´s last [type] ..The Ten Grand, Three Month, See The World Writer’s Retreat
Hi George,
(You’re my writer butterfly.)
I’ve read some of Dr. Dyers writing, and I think he’s quite interesting. I’ll have to check out Inspiration. Thanks for the tip.
I probably write about nature too much, but, I can’t help it. I feel we’ve all gotten too far from it and I think, especially lately, I really want to go back to small tribes, loincloths and berry picking!
Oh, Man! Did my previously-left great comment get eaten by the Internet Gods? I hate it when that happens! Oh well, I’ll just skip to the best part of aformentioned comment:
If you’re a woodland nymph, can I be your satyr?
Jay´s last [type] ..Against the Wind
Shoot! Sorry Jay Bird — I hate it when that happens. Thanks for pushing through and giving me the essence of your comment.
The short answer: yes! Sure, but will you play a pan-flute and harp, too?
Hi Lori:
Beautifully written post with some great observations. As far as the tides are concerned…I don’t know if I’ve ever felt in connection with them since I live so far from the ocean. I once went out with a woman who was concerned about certain planets being aligned in Mercury Retrograde before making some major decisions in her life…she may as well have been speaking Swahili to me. Oh, after that, she did decide to no longer have anything to do with me. But I do believe in some sort of natural cycle in our world that I cannot explain. In any case I’m glad to learn that your high tides have flattened and yes, I bet you were a woodland nymph in a previous life
Tim´s last [type] ..Celebrating Small (and Large) Victories
Hi Tim,
She’s left the door open for some other lucky woman who deserves you in my opinion.
Hmmm, I have no idea what Mercury Retrograde would mean either, so we’re on the same team, there. Wow, that’s too bad she decided to move on — but, really, would you want to stay with a woman who often spoke Swahili (i.e., a foreign language in respect to planet alignments?).
It is difficult to explain cycles of this world, really. I’ve also joked with friends that men go though “manstruation”, too. Everyone has a nature cycle in their lives, in my opinion (in addition to circadian rhythms, too).
I’m feeling the woodland nymph whispering to me in the crevices of my mind — I have an irresistible urge to learn to play the harp!
I take a walk almost everyday around a lake behind my house. For the dog and also just to allow me to be in nature. Lets me breathe and soothes my soul. I truly think those woods have been a major factor in my healing from a brain injury.
Anyway, I always make it a practice to notice the colorful mushrooms, birds chirping, squirrels playing chase and any other little things. I have designated chipmunks as my good luck sign. So when I see one, I am delighted. One day while walking with my son, I actually saw 11. I was howling with laughter and ecstatic. My son thought I had lost my mind (again.)
Butterflies, chipmunks, whatever. The joy and goodness is always there along with the not so good stuff. It is up to us to look for it and find it while we just have faith and ride out the other.
Hi Debbie,
The lake behind your house sounds beautiful — a gentle solace and a great place for a walk.
What a great idea to identify a good-luck sign such as a squirrel! I used to do that when walking along the beach with sand dollars. If I found another one for my collection — it was surely a sign!
(And, you’re too funny, “lost your mind [again],” now that’s a good indication that you’re not taking yourself too seriously!)
You have such a great outlook, Debbie. I feel it all the way from your energy to my computer monitor.
that’s a real nice post lori, yes i believe our emotions get highly affected by nature, you wont feel the same on a sunny day and a rainy day, thank u
Farouk´s last [type] ..If you register your site for free at
Hi Farouk,
Thanks for visiting and for your comments. And, what a perfect example about emotions and sunny vs. rainy days. That is absolutely true. The sun is out as I read your words and I feel lighter and brighter today, too.
Enjoy your day and approaching week, Farouk.
I’ll be sending lots of sun and warmth your way during my meditations.
Hi Lori. Tides are the best actually. They leave seaweed to harvest and leave muck on the beach for us to clean and then the tide comes in, makes the sand nice and tidy and the left over seaweed we didn’t collect. Nature seeks balance, high and low, it never destroys on purpose,even forest fires are a necessity sometimes. It is us, we can be in the wrong spot at the wrong time as we are not as aware of balance as nature is. I am pleased the tide turned for you sooner than you thought. Love Wilma
Wilma Ham´s last [type] ..What are your issues with migrating to ‘Heaven on Earth’?
Hi Wilma,
You’ve said it very well — there is a sweet balance which nature holds. When we pull back and look at the big picture, it’s there; but, up close, a forest fire (for example) might not seem a beneficial event. I really think there is a lesson there — everything has some value in it, good news, bad news, trials and tribulations. Keeping the eye on the big picture might help keep things in perspective.
Thanks for popping by, Wilma.
Hi Lori – What I love most about this is that you show us that life is bad, and good. A continuous ebb and flow. And yes, I do believe that life mimics the cycles of nature, but we don’t pay enough attention to that. As much as we might like it, I don’t think we’re meant to be in a continuous season of spring. But darn if we don’t think we should be most of the time. I think the Greeks had it right when they wrote about hubris. That arrogance of thinking we can defy nature. Kind of like BP. But don’t get me started on that! Thanks for another great post, Lori.
Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last [type] ..Meaning Mondays: The Four Healing Salves
Hi Patty,
Yes, well said, Patty. It’s that ebb and flow — never ending, but so necessary! I’ve caught myself thinking both extremes, when things have been going very well, I wonder when the downturn will start, and when things get very bad, I know there must be something good around the corner.
Besides, wouldn’t life be boring if it was just really good all the time?
Enjoy the remainder of the week, Patty! (The highs AND the lows.)
Hi Lori,
It’s amazing how we don’t always see things as they are. I’m sure glad things turned around for you and the butterfly well how lovely. And I do think there was a message in the wink…we’ll all continue to get by even when times our tough…we get along with a little help from our friends;)
I think I was a bee in another lifetime partly due to my absolute love for flowers! And gardening and all those things I miss about the farm. We’re farm girls as heart and always will be.
Tess Bold Life´s last [type] ..Oil Spill: Taking Personal Responsibility
Hi Tess,
Great to see you this morning (well, it’s still morning for me, anyway).
I can absolutely see you as a bee in another lifetime, Tess. It fits you like a glove! And, you bring such joy and sweetness (honey) everywhere you go! I love it! I agree, you can’t the farm out of the girl — and I appreciate those days now more than I ever thought I would.
Have a great day and BEE good!
Hi Lori,
Perhaps life and nature are basically one after all…
I’m glad things are turning for the better for you…maybe that little butterfly brought closer to you the division line between perspectives.
Not that I noticed an influence of natural cycles other than I do need sunlight…
Summer is happiness while winter time is about repeating to myself: “It looks beautiful doesn’t it?” But the secret desire of sun and natural light for longer hours remains inside.
Raul
Alien Ghost´s last [type] ..The Perfect Place to Live
Hi Raul,
Hey, thanks for visiting my little ‘ole blog.
I know what you mean about summer and sunlight. I actually keep a countdown calendar to the first day of summer. I just LOVE IT! And, yes, I can appreciate the snow — I’ve lived in some pretty extreme climates most of my life and a person can really come to appreciate them.
But, yeah, now that I’m back in a really sunny climate — I find myself much more happy and thanking my lucky stars that I get to see (and feel!) so much sun.
I hear you, Raul!
~xo
I used to surf all the time when I lived in SoCal. High Tide meant great waves for those brave enough to get out there.
I’ve always kept that lesson in mind. On a side note though, I am going to follow your lead on the petroleum usage.
Joshua Noerr´s last [type] ..Lessons From A Georgia Chicken Truck or… What Does Your Cage Look Like
Hi Joshua,
Really? You used to surf in SoCal? Maybe we were former neighbors?
Great about nixing petrol. The whole oil spill debacle makes me nuts — thanks for doing something about the problem from your end, too.
[...] ShareSpecial Note: My new friend Lori recently wrote a post at her blog JaneBeNimble.com entitled Living Tides. I highly suggest you read it to learn the inspiration for this post. I also highly recommend her [...]