Only 20 Minutes

Only 20 minutes: 

the goal is early light, as close to sun's arrival to the new day as possible, getting those first rays for the benefit of mind and body, a chemical reaction happening in the brain that leads all the way to evening and a preparation for a sound and peaceful slumber. It's more than that too, it's for the soul, reconnecting my spirit to the land by footsteps taken, and my breath taking part in a giving exchange of air to breathe and the exhalation of carbon dioxide for my neighborhood plants and trees to thrive. My walk is only 20 minutes, perhaps a bit longer if I'm carried away by the beauty of the morning, brief by my once training standards when I walk for miles at a stretch. 

but my goal is different now...

for this walk at least. 

really though, there isn't a goal, it's just to greet the morning, getting in that first light and to find out what nature will offer me each morning. On any morning I am apt to be surprised, my walk is only 20 minutes but it's filled with wildlife and the season's deep shade of green right now. It's my favorite time of year, fast approaching solstice, light in daylight and opportunity to witness the variety of life in the immediate neighborhood surroundings. 

I live close to a small pond, teeming with birds, with the most common sighting of crows and robins, catbirds often heard yet in hidden in thick weeds and branches, the loveliness of red-winged blackbirds standing out against the background of cattails and green/brown water of the pond. There are cardinals and blue jays, the occasional magic of a bluebird, or rare sight of oriel appears. Geese and ducks abound and on some fortunate mornings I catch sight of blue and green herons feeding by the shore. Recently a cormorant has made a home here, my first ever sighting of one here, a gift indeed each morning. Occasionally there's hawk perched on a branch, watchful, nothing missed through all that happens, poised for any opportunity for a meal. More often there's an owl heard without ever catching sight, yet sometimes, a glimpse, and at first it's feeling of being watched before spotted, well hidden in the branches, retiring for the day after a full night of hunting, I suppose. 

my walk is only 20 minutes and I'm gifted by this world.

there are rabbis here, squirrels, and of course sly, mysterious foxes stalking through the brush. Rumors of coyotes, yet never sighted here. but I'm hopeful. Raccoons and the surprise of opossums, both seldom spotted accept by quick glance as they scramble across the path towards the deeper woods. So much wildlife, a vast ecosystem of insects stretched beneath my stride, reminding me to be mindful of of my steps, respectful of even the smallest life, that everything has a dharma of its own. 

this is my blessing, home, life revealing itself to me.

my walk is only 20 minutes...

and yet,

an entire world is given. 

~

Peace, Eric