WILDLY FREE ELDER
The Artistry of Aging
Elder Muse/Day 26 : Time To Immerse – A Return to Nature
“We can’t change the world, but we can change the way we live in it.”
~Grant Hine, Ecotherapist
The sand was so hot that I ended up running down to the ocean on the tips of my toes. A sand ballerina.
A flying leap into the ocean, diving under the nearest wave coming towards shore felt like a wake up caress as my face broke the surface in a joyous return to the elements of salt water, sand, sun, and the warm breeze as I came up for air.
Going against the tide and beyond the smaller breaking waves was a test this day. Every muscle collaborating. Aware of currents that would interrupt the quest for the perfect wave to ride back to shore.
In an instant, glancing back over my shoulder, I saw my wave. The wave I would become one with. Timing, strength, and breath to become one with this body of water rushing to shore.
The joy rush that tickled every cell of my body when catching the wave was a feeling I would come back to over and over again in my life. It took absolute surrender to the power of the water and trust in my body as only the moment of each breath woven with the wave took hold.
Yelling joyfully with childlike abandon at the peak of the wave I glimpsed another dark form riding the same wave not far from me. A sea lion gazed back at me with what seemed to be pure playful abandon.
As I was delivered onto the soft sandy shore feelings of awe and wonder overtook me in recognition that these moments were gifted to me. A reminder never to forget the ground of my being, peace of mind, and open heart are always intimately connected with the wildness and rhythms of the natural world.
NOTE: Many of these moments happened as I grew up in San Diego only blocks from the Pacific Ocean. My playground was the beach, tide pools, collecting shells, ocean, and most certainly riding the waves with my body or a boogie board. The seal incident did indeed happen in N. California, and one of the most amazing experiences in my life – swimming and playing with wild dolphins on the Big Island of Hawaii – will always be with me.
I invite you to take some time now to be with ecotherapist and guide, Grant Hine, as he tells his story in the video below.
What we are truly lacking is a connection with the wild world and its rhythms. Grant takes us out into the Cape Floral Kingdom, where we kick off our shoes and walk barefoot on the earth, touch the bark of a tree, watch a spider spin a web, listen to the birds singing in the branches above. We reawaken our senses.
So no matter where you live, get out there and be wild every now and then. You’ll find connection again.
Filmed in the Cape Floral Kingdom, South Africa by Reflections of Life.
Featuring Grant Hine – Ecotherapist and Guide (zenguiding.com)
31 days of Daily Elder Muse blog posts accessed from the unfolding of the day – not planned or scheduled. Yes, the Muse is back again during this powerful and challenging shift time on our planet. May these words, stories and images assist you to remember who you are….and where to place your attention. ~Gaye Abbott
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Gaye Abbott, Wildly Free Elder, 08/09/24
WILDLY FREE ELDER 