Out an' About

I walked Harry yesterday, my regular morning walk through the wetlands. My mind was filled with worries. I won’t go into details. We all have them, personal stresses that sometimes overwhelm and that nagging feeling that something is missing in our life.

It was cold but as I walked I felt the sun on my back and I basked in its warmth. Except for the sound of birds I was completely alone.

I approached the wetlands and then stopped, spellbound. The sunshine reflected the mist on the water and it was dazzling.

I stood there watching the scene. Then I noticed the birds. Dozens of them, all in a row, as though they’d gathered for a morning chat.

The birds reminded me of connections, like the relationships in my life. And how we need to give them attention and nurture them.

Then just as quickly the mist began to lift and shadows and reflections of the bushland appeared in the water. Colors surrounded me.

I was reluctant to leave, suddenly overwhelmed with a deep sense of peace and hope. The simple act of focusing on what was in front of me instead of getting lost in my thoughts had completely changed my focus.

How often do we get so lost in thought that we miss what’s right in front of us?  I’m so glad I didn’t.

It’s one of the reasons why I love camping and bushwalking so much. It takes me out of my head and into the moment.

So many places hold me in awe. So many trails I’ve yet to explore.

One of those places is the Grampians.

Over the years we’ve hiked many tracks here, from easy and iconic walks to the Pinnacle to the harder slog of Mount Abrupt. It’s a landscape that always inspires me.

 

Then there’s the joy of walking amongst the peaks and views of the Prom. I love this place at any time of the year. It’s one of the most beautiful national parks in Victoria.

Here’s my playful hubby and son on the walk to Cotters Lake recently, armed with branches as fly swatters. The March flies were ferocious, and it was only January.

I love walking on boardwalks, like here in the Mt Cole State Forest. They make it easy for everyone to enjoy the environment and help protect the fragile ecosystem.

Treading carefully and mindful that our earth is a precious place we need to take care of.

Walking with company can be so much fun. With our friends here we explored rainforest tracks near Noojee, creating shared memories.

At Triplett Falls in the Otways we stopped to watch the force of the falls, capturing the magic. The joy is more than just walking, it’s about savoring every view.

Then there are those truly special moments.

It’s not often on a bushwalk I take my shoes off but at Paradise Falls recently the temptation to get at one with nature was too much.

After all, this is what it’s all about. Immersing ourselves in the moment.

Looking up and loving life.

I read a post yesterday, after my walk ,and it so resonated with me that I want to share it with you.

Otto talks about finding creativity in the now, how to pay attention even when sometimes we feel we’ve lost our spark and momentum.

I think back to my early morning walk, the mist, the sun on my back and the chorus of birds. I realise that my change in mood was because I chose to pay attention. Those worries might still be lurking but we can choose to shift our focus and pay attention. That’s when magic happens.

May we all appreciate where we are right now, using all our senses to embrace those little details and ordinary moments.

Wishing you focus and a light and peaceful heart as we continue the journey.