Month: April 2021

Our nature guides

I woke early this morning. The wind was picking up outside, a forewarning of the major weather event along the West coast of Australia. My home felt stifling and waiting to implode. It reflected how I’ve been feeling for the past week. Isolating myself when I feel like I’m living through a perfect storm was obviously not a good idea. It is easier to write this than speak to someone about it. How ironic is that when I know it helps people to talk things through!

Mr FIFO sent me a text at dawn. I was already awake before then. I needed his humour and memes. It made me realise, I want to be the person I was when he met me a year ago. Instead of laying in bed, I started my day. In the dark I sat in silence with just the whoosh of water birds flying over my home to the lake beyond. For a brief moment the kookaburras chortled then silence enveloped all. I love those moments when all falls away.

In that brief moment I found myself. The self who seeks the embrace of nature. The self who wants to wake to beauty each day. The self that starts the day with a prayer … no matter what the day brings, help me up should I fall. My prayer was answered before I got out of bed where I fall each night and find it difficult to get up each day.

I woke to beautiful things. In my messy backyard, there are pavers strewn about. The patio is missing, the gap, a toothless smile of a home. The kitchen garden is half way done. The landscaping is going to be expensive. I am working so hard to see the completion. That thought alone was daunting when I am physically compromised. Then I remembered my routine when I travel. Camera and nature for company I have renewed energy morning and evening, despite the challenges of any given day.

There were no birds in my garden, perhaps too early for them or perhaps the impending tail end of cyclone we are expecting kept them sheltering. Then I noticed a beautiful shape. Tiny but big enough to catch my eye. I zoomed in.

The tactile beauty of a tiny pebble and glistening, jewel like grains of soil, brightened my day. I felt a surge of energy that felt new to me. I then remembered this is the buzz I seek each day like the time when …

Each morning when I visit Esperance I head out to my usual haunts. Woody Lake and Lake Windabout usually have a multitude of water birds. I see a flotilla of pelicans or black swans. The ducks, egrets, waders, cormorants congregate here too with a solitary photo bombing seagull among them. I’m often alone there in the mornings. It is a time I cherish.

I love these moments of observation when neither human nor nature intrudes. I’m allowed to be present with them. A moment of quiet acceptance.

I’m drawn to the beauty of these birds particularly for their movement which is one of fluid grace. Focused on task, they are effortless in flight or feed. This is my guidance for the day.

May you find your wings too.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

Just add colour …

In response to Word of the Day Challenge – Flamfoo

For years I wore black. It was easier to choose my clothes for the day when I was a busy single mother with dependent children and multiple demands. I then went to dress in clothing of muted colours until my son observed I dress to be invisible. I woke to the psychology of his observation.

My wardrobe now consists of at least 100 shawls, some cotton, some silk, some cashmere. I love the versatility this piece of garment brings. What I did not know was my shawls define me to others. On a flight a cabin crew member commented once, I was known as “The Pashmina Lady” by the crew!

It is interesting how we perceive people by what they wear, sometimes, our perception is so wrong. This happened to me recently. I was teamed up to work with someone new. We talked on the phone before our appointment but had never met each other before our first hello in the client’s driveway. I watched her get out of her expensive European car, slender, blonde and dressed in pure white linen capri pants and oversized shirt and beige high espadrilles. Chic is an understatement. Her greeting and laughter as effervescent as champagne. My first thought was she had not checked where we were working. I had. And, I arrived in sandals, jeans and a tee-shirt accented with a scarf. We were welcomed at the door by the family and we entered. She went straight to work. She kicked off her shoes and sat on the sticky floor that was covered in toys and casual living. She remained there for the hours we were there. She never flinched.

We worked again in the weeks that followed. Over lunches we were more candid with each other, the warmth between us, genuine. I shared with her my first impressions of her and how I loved her down to earth approach. She told me she loved that I wear colour. The other professionals she worked with wear “boring black”! I told her I was once one of them! No more! I dress to say I’m here!

It has made me wonder. Do we wear brighter colours as we age? Is it our way to symbolise the last hurray?! I’m beginning to suspect this is true for me.

I wear the brightest colours and jewellery when I work and when I’m travelling. Call me flamfoo if you must but I need to reassure myself I’m still here when I look in the mirror!

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird