A wild and mindful life

“I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out til sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” John Muir, naturalist and author

A journey of ten thousand miles

Planes, trains, automobiles…​boats, and a cable car

To arrive in this wild and beautiful place

Facing out over the Pacific ocean

Feeling the rhythm of the waves

Watching the surf for endless hours, day and night

Mesmerised by the beautiful rise and fall of the water

And now and again a visit from the wildlife whose land we have invaded

Sitting still so as not to disturb them any further

Eagles soaring and swooping with a flash of white feathers on their heads and tails

A majestic wingspan over six feet wide

A bear bumbling its way happily through our back garden

Finding its way back to the lush forest it came from

To hushed cries of delight and paused breath while we took in the sight

A graceful deer exploring on the rocks just a few feet away

Disappearing for a short time then returning with her new-born fawn

A privilege to share the miracle of new life

Urging little legs to find their strength, clattering clumsily on the rocks

And being honoured by daily visits right past where we were sitting

Both of them becoming more and more steady and trusting as the days passed.

Being startled by the high-pitched twittering and swift movement of a hummingbird

Hovering briefly to drink in the sweet syrupy water in the bird feeder

And then many more followed

With wings so fast they were a blur, yet the bright metallic green of their feathers were still and shining

Watching a hump-backed whale as her glossy back arced through the water

And the gigantic, graceful tail following slowly

An experience of a lifetime to be in her presence

I have never felt such awe and wonder of being alive

At peace, in stillness, noticing every drop of rain and whisper of trees

Sensing an eternity as well as a single moment

Feeling strong emotions and connection with the people who have lived here for thousands of years before us,

Humble and gracious about preserving their lands and oceans and all the life they hold

And I’m so thankful to bring all these experiences with me, entwined in my roots and branches and the air I breathe, to remember, forever.

“Keep close to Nature’s heart…and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” John Muir

This was in Ucluelet, British Columbia, on the far West of Vancouver Island. Ucluelet translates as ‘people of the safe harbour’ in the indigenous Nuu-chah-nulth language. www.discoverucluelet.com describes it a “stress-free place where Mother Nature calms one’s soul. Clean pure ocean air, breath-taking oceanside walks, temperate rain forests, stunning sunsets and wicked storm watching.”

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