I have chosen to come here to this place, bleak
and dry and windblown after the harshness of winter;
the land has been in isolation too, as it perpetually will
uncomplainingly, year following year, why do we humans
resist it so? The is-ness of life is a thing we have to remind
ourselves of, lest we forget all is in divine order;
The elk are out most mornings, grazing and moving further
toward the denser Ponderosa forest, following seasonal
dictates of their species; boundary fences notwithstanding,
they leap and bound over all but the highest barrier
and I rejoice that I have spotted, just this morning,
the places they bed down at night and traverse the terrain
we are now privileged to steward for what time it is ours;
What are our collective impulses and dreams? Have we
lost all sense of feet planted on earth, pulse of the planet
drawing us this way and that, moving in herds or alone
as befits the calling (and we are summoned, no mistake),
yet I arrived here in the midst of a global pandemic edgy,
unsure we had done the right thing, planning a move
from our lush Hawaiian landscape to this high desert
that once captivated with pungent scents of sage
and juniper, pine and cedar, magical carpet of cones
and needles and quartz scattered as if nature intended
nothing so much as delight;
Without courage we are lost, without faith we lack
a compass, without taking chances, we miss
opportunities that await the global citizen for whom
this collective in-breath provides pause to reflect
on the quality of choices made daily in a life
meant simply for us to breathe deeply
and enjoy the journey.
Ahh …, I remember you moving to this mountain place. It sounded like a dream, a haven.
Glad to re-connect and also with the Elks that I find very graceful.
Your last paragraph rings true and strong to me.
Miriam
Thanks, Miriam. Glad the lines resonated. 🙏💕
How refreshing to see your article, dear Bela!! Thank you!!! 🙏🌿🌞💛
Thanks for your visit and the love, Ms. Karyn! Trusting all is well with you! <3
So you’ve arrived stateside… is it NM? How are you feeling about the move during such crazy times? Hope you are well! <3
The sky is so large in the West. It’s a place for opening I think.
We do resist change, but as you note, nothing is certain, even when we are in familiar surroundings. As the world reminds us every day. (K)
As it surely does. 🙏
I wonder why have you moved from beautiful surroundings to this desert! Wishing you all the best dear friend. Stay safe and take care.
In truth, we haven’t yet made the move. We are maintaining two residences until our house sells in HI. In truth, we were called to this beautiful place. We lived here many years ago and loved it. There is beauty in many places. In my tropical gardens and in the wide-open expanses of a desert sky. And we look forward to getting back to the forest. Running waters. Abundant wildlife. And our girls closer by. Thanks for your well wishes, Balroop! 💞
It’s nice to have our girls nearby Bela. I can understand that 😊
Yes! We’ve barely seen them in 15 years. Time for that to change. 😉 Plus it really IS beautiful here. 😉 xo
Nice to hear that Bela. Enjoy but be safe.
Swept away all the to close… “breathe deeply and enjoy the journey.”
It sounds as though you made the right choice in moving to a new home in New Mexico (I believe that is where you said it was) and new landscapes always inspire in many ways…even though a former home is missed. Take care.
Yes! Thanks, Renee! I am just in New Mexico checking things out, we had bought this months ago and somebody needed to just physically touch in. I look forward to the relocation, but due to this covid disruption, our house hasn’t sold yet in HI. I head back next week if the planes are still flying! Hope you are well! 🙏❤️
Take care and yes all is well here with my friends and family. I hope for you safe travels.
Thanks, Renee! <3
Breathtaking views Bela… And our instincts guide us, and those who follow them are never in my experience led astray…
What could be better, the open landscape with natures creatures at your door…
Yes these are becoming uncertain times which will transform everyone’s lives.. But there are also those whose calling is to be pioneers in the change…
I am seeing those transitions…
Today I read that Formula One engineers have transformed themselves from Cars to making Ventilators for the health care systems…
Loved your post Bela…
Take care and we are doing the same..
Much love my lovely friend <3 💖🙏💜💚🌈😘
Glad to hear you are doing well! Agree with all you’ve said here. The elk are letting me know they are close. Leaving signs here and there. Yesterday I had cut a path up a hill and lined it with rocks. This morning they messed with my rocks, but nothing I can’t easily fix. It will be thrilling to meet them face to face one day. They are year-round residents here. They are not migratory herds, per se, they do move, but through basically the same runs. Fun times. 😊💕💕💕
One morning you just may turn a corner and meet face to face.. 🙂 Would love that.. 🙂
Me too! 😀 xoxo
Beautiful and comforting words, Bela. The scenery is stunning in NM. (Many, many years since I’ve been through there.) Hope you can actually make the move soon. So many disruptions right now….a sign of the times, no doubt.
Take good care, my friend. 💓💕
Thank you, Betty! Trust all is well for you and yours! 🙏💕
So far so good here, Bela – thank you. 😊🙏💓
Great to hear! 😍