05/26/2025
Embracing Wholeness
Through Nature
It is in nature that I find my sense of completeness. During a sunset, I reflect; at dawn, I feel a surge of possibility, potential, and tranquility before the rest of the sandbar awakens. In those special moments and the soft morning light, I experience profound peace.
Each part of the day carries its own unique light, language, ambience, and splendor, echoing a resounding Yes! – a celebration of new beginnings, renewal, and revival. The morning birdsong resonates with the promise of fresh starts. But fresh starts for what, I wonder?
As I stroll along the marsh at dawn, I hear the distant call of a kingfisher. Where is he headed? What is his purpose? Does he have a mate or a friend? Is he solitary like I often am? Does he find joy in his own company or seek solace in others?
We all reflect nature's rhythms, experiencing life's hellos and goodbyes, much like the changing seasons. I grieve the flowers as they fade in my garden, yet I am rejuvenated by the arrival of new possibilities—the “next.”
In the autumn light, who can resist the brilliance of color? Here in New England, the display is truly “riveting.” To be aware and attuned to nature, we open ourselves to its sounds, scents, sensations, sights, and overall essence.
With our cameras in hand, we capture beauty through a lens of wonder, engaging all our senses to appreciate the nuances of the natural world. From the splendor of the sea to the vibrant hues of the marshes, the enchanting call of the osprey, and the majesty of an eagle soaring above, I am inspired.
As I pen these thoughts, I notice a pair of mourning doves on the roof of my car, preening each other. They appear harmonious and symbiotic. I feel a particular fondness for mourning doves; to me, they embody the essence of “nice birds”—peaceful, gentle, unassuming, and loving. I cherish the soothing sounds they produce and the innocent glimmer in their eyes. They exist in unison—a marriage of sorts, energetically attuned to one another and to the beauty of nature.
ox Mary Lucille
