reflections

sometimes the Path ahead is clear and sometimes it is blocked. sometimes the water is calm and sometimes it scares the bejeebes out of you. on calm days, looking into the water, you can see everything as if it were a clear mirror. how many times do we find that those around us are either a clear mirror, reflecting back what we need to see about ourselves, or a collection of distorted waves that actually scare us to death.... surrounding ourselves with positive, energetic people will not make us more energetic or positive, but can create an environment where we can learn, change, and grow. just like in paddling, a calm day can create relaxation and peacefulness, and a stormy day can make us alert and allow us the opportunity to develop new strategies for success.

in july of last year my paddling friend, JC and i made a 123 mile trip along the north shore of lake superior. the journey held all extremes of calm and tempest; from serene foggy anonymity to battling two metre waves, wind and exposure. in both conditions we found something to acknowledge in ourselves. the calm part of yourself can match up to the frenetic and you can survive in any situation. man is said to be a social animal, not meant to live alone. even in all his writings thoreau extolled the virtue of communication and interaction outside of oneself. he appreciated the fact that nature provided a backdrop against which we measure our lives. it is the mirror that lets us see what is inside of each of us.

"The wilderness is near as well as dear to every man. Even the oldest villages are indebted to the border of wild wood which surrounds them, more than to the gardens of men. There is something indescribably inspiriting and beautiful in the aspect of the forest skirting and occasionally jutting into the midst of new towns, which, like the sand-heaps of fresh fox-burrows, have sprung up in their midst. The very uprightness of the pines and maples asserts the ancient rectitude and vigor of nature. Our lives need the relief of such a background, where the pine flourishes and the jay still screams." --henry david thoreau

let nature be the Lighthouse that guides us in our journey and keeps us from the rocks. put yourself into the position of guiding others too and let the Light shine brightly for everyone around you. it is known in holistic therapy that the Light inside of us keeps away the darkness, unless it is walled off by negative emotions. find that darkness, understand it, and replace it with Light so that you can continue on your Path unobstructed.

remember, darkness is the absence of Light, not an entity unto itself. you can not turn on darkness, but only forget the Light. let your Light shine brightly illuminating the Way for everyone you encounter and become the clear mirror that allows them to see themselves more clearly.