"Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads." - Henry David Thoreau
Before the sun rose this morning, I found myself padding softly through the house, slippers brushing against the floor, eyes heavy with sleep. The world outside lay under a blanket of darkness as I settled into my worn, comfortable cream sofa in the living room—my daily spot for journaling. The air was cool, hinting at autumn, and the quiet enveloped me like an old friend.
I lit a single candle, placing it on the glass coffee table beside my fern—a maidenhair fern with delicate, gossamer-light leaves hanging from thread-like stems. The leaves, some as big as my thumbnail and others barely specks of green, are a mix of subtle shades of green from the lightest lime to deeper emerald. Each leaf, shaped like a scalloped shell, seemed perfect in its own right. The fern sat in a red sandstone pot, steadfast and familiar.
Every morning, as I spill my dreams onto the page, the fern is there. We share the stillness, and I nod to it in gratitude, taking in the simple beauty it brings into the room and into my life. For these 30 minutes or so, I am suspended in this tiny, perfect moment. My fern grounds me, reminding me of the bigger picture of life: how we owe our existence to the plants that began to emerge over 800 million years ago on the planet, creating oxygen, sustaining life, allowing us to be here. I am here for such a short moment in the 4.5 billion year history of our planet - 70-80 years if I am lucky. No need to spend my time here agitated or upset.
Today, a week after the American election—a time when many of us have been feeling heightened emotions and uncertainty—I share this moment with you because it’s still a time of tension, hope, and reflection. There are undoubtedly many of us feeling anxious or upset, no matter the outcome. But let’s take a breath and remember that, while elections matter, they are not everything. Our lives remain rich, filled with moments of wonder and connection, regardless of who holds power.
So, this week, I invite you to take a moment with your favorite tree, plant, or flower. Pause. Acknowledge their quiet, enduring presence. Thank them for everything they give us, these silent partners in our journey as humans.
The fern, with its gentle leaves, has been my steady companion, reminding me that amidst the turbulence of human affairs, nature endures. Nature continues to provide, to grow, and to calm. Stay grounded, stay present, and know that moments of peace are always within reach—sometimes just beside you, in a beloved plant quietly breathing alongside you. When you are feeling frustrated or upset, take a walk. Nature’s quiet resilience offers us the calm we so deeply need, reminding us to slow down and breathe.
No matter where you find yourself today, I hope you find a moment of stillness. Let’s lean into these moments to steady our spirits. Together, we can find our way forward, step by step, with hope still in our hearts.
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