What a difference a day makes. Yesterday the wind was howling while ice pellets gently tapped on my windows. As the day went on, the ice was intermittently exchanged for snowflakes that raced their way to the ground adding up inch by inch. Lights flickered and “dangerous driving conditions” warnings were issued. It was a cold, gray, day. . .
Today was a different, though. Of course, it was still bitterly cold. The snow and the ice remained, but the contrast was blaring. . . the sun! The sun was shining it’s brilliant light. I seriously think it called out to me. “
Summer, come on out. . . you’ve got to experience this!”, or something like that. What option did I have? I had to go. . .
So I pulled on some boots, threw a heavy coat over my sweater, wrapped a scarf around my neck, pulled four gloves over my two hands and I went. I walked at a snails pace to prevent myself from falling on the sheet of ice that has become our backyard. My weight didn’t make a dent in the layers of ice as I slipped and slid my way across the distance between my house and the woods.
It was simply beautiful.
I stood there for a moment and listened. . . and although I couldn’t see them, singing birds seemed to surround me, reminding me that spring is not far off. I walked warily as I listened to the branches crackling under the weight of their thick coating of ice. And the trees seemed to be slapping each other high fives as they danced in the light breeze. It sounds strange, but it was silent and loud all at the same time. As I stood in the middle of this stunning canvas, my entire body was calmed.
I don’t know what it is about nature. The backdrop of the trees and the fresh air in my lungs. . . everything feels different. And in those moments, towered by the beauty of the forest, I felt so big and so small. I felt fearless. I felt hopeful. I was reminded of a quote. . .
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson
I love these words. They challenge me and they leave me wondering. . . what if we all believed it? What if we all believed that we are powerful beyond measure?
very beautiful pictures! : )
also, i just had this quote stuck in my head this week. i love it.
Gorgeous photos!
Love the quote. It's definitely something I need to work on.
GREAT quote, Sum. And I absolutely love winter pictures, especially the blue jay in the first one. Lovely! There really is just something about nature.
Great quote will have to print it and work on it!!! I am so glad you didn't fall girl!!!! It is pretty out with the snow and ice on the trees:)