making fresh tracks…
Strong storms moved through my heart over the holidays
and tossed around the landscape of my life
(or did storms batter my life and change the lay of land in my heart?)
Yes and both, I think.
I’m fascinated always by the power of storm,
challenged by the change and re-arrange left in their wake.
I remember heading back to the beach several times
after we’d had to evacuate for a hurricane,
in awe of how yesterday’s dunes were swept from the shore
and now mounded high against the faces of distant cottages,
and the large chunks of boardwalk that just days ago
firmly sheltered feet from sandspurs
somewhere far and away,
now splayed across the beach like dislocated elbows.
Roads washed away and new jetties carved into islands
…fierce, sudden, unexpected change.
That’s where I find myself this cold, gray January
and I’m buoyed by my curiosity
as I explore what still feels true
and what needs to be new
and there is something breaking out inside of me,
a yelp, a roar, a whoop, a howl,
and I’m making tracks across this fresh washed beach,
releasing the bellow in my belly for something braver, wilder, realer
rawer, truer than I’ve walked in before.
And I’m glad for the wild winds
that knocked loose and jumbled
some of my nice, safe, stuck lines
and opened spaces for changes I didn’t know I was hungry for,
blew away the false and stirred my soul to dreaming
fierce and fearless and childlike again.
Whatever this new year brings,
I’ll be making tracks, fresh and new
and building something solid, free and true
(and, always, cheering hard for you:)).
“Show me a day when the world wasn’t new.”
-Sister Barbara Hance
`
How very, very beautiful.
Here’s to excitement, to wonder, and to a safe harbour somewhere in your heart and mind, from which you can sally out to explore.
Hugs.
Be safe and warm in this very cold January. Looking towards a New Year that is bright with growth.
Jennifer, a heart and an eye able to take such beautifully alive photographs will always be ready for the storm and its gifts. Because you know where to look. You know HOW to look. Happy New Year. May it be blessed with amazing discoveries and gentle peace. ♥
As always so eloquently said my friend. Praying this fresh new year holds some wonderful, good surprises and blessings for both of us 🙂
This is beautiful! I really love the first photo. So magical!
I share your excitment and I love your special word!
oh my we are two souls on the same journey. It is incredible how much I understand every word. I know we could be together and not say a word..and yet understand
wishing you a great journey this year
….
be safe and warm my friend.
How courageous and brave you are Jennifer.
Storms may have ripped your security net to shreds but you march onto new visions up ahead with your eyes wide open for newness. Nothing ever stays the same and change sometimes comes forcefully and turns our world upside down. I like how you accept this challenge of finding newness in your world.
I hope that all your wished comes true in 2014.
Hugs,
JB
Another Henri Nouwen quote my friend.
“Nothing can be predicted. Yet all is already held safe in the divine embrace that holds me still.”
Praying for us both…let go of the old and let God’s grace touch you…
xo
Just LOVE this part:
And I’m glad for the wild winds
that knocked loose and jumbled
some of my nice, safe, stuck lines
and opened spaces for changes I didn’t know I was hungry for,
blew away the false and stirred my soul to dreaming
fierce and fearless and childlike again.
omg…so beautifully said and it stirred something in me, as i re-read it 3 times!! (love that photo with the leaves!)
Fabulous photos and a terrific goal! The new year always inspired track-making. I look out into our snowy space and know that the storms indeed DO bring interesting new things — new friendships, people helping others, a determination to not let it get you down. It’s a new year. We’ll cope!
I’m cheering for you too Jennifer! A new year with new experiences and learning new things and new friends and all the while loving every minute of it….that is my wish for you and also for ME. 🙂 Is that your hands in that first photo? Your photos are always so exciting to the soul. Of course I love nature just like you so your photos always catch my eye and heart right away.
2014…You will be filled with wonderful new things!
YAY!!!!
♥Lee Ann
Thank you for this beautiful sharing of your heart and deepest parts of your soul. xo
Love that quote at the end reminding us we are always in a state of change….it sounds like a wonderful, deep, raw, exciting year….love coming along for the ride!
Love that quote at the end reminding us we are always in a state of change….it sounds like a wonderful, deep, raw, exciting year….love coming along for the ride!
I feel the fresh start, too, jennifer. It’s kind of nice after the holidays are through and a new everything can begin. I cherish these days. I LOVE the specialness of january. Oh, we January babies! Pssst, my granddaughter-to-be may be arriving in the nest few hours…!
You ALWAYS blow me away with your words and touch something in my heart. Always.
xo
Knowing that He is with us in the midst of the storms is the peace that carries us through.