Photos by David Hindmon
Welcome to Nature's Voice, a column intended as inspirational entertainment. I'm Michele Oksen.
My home, since 1983, is a remote cabin in the Santa Lucia Mountains between Cambria and Paso Robles, California. I overlook Lake Nacimiento from this land that my grandfather traded a horse and some tires for in the early 1930's.
Well off the grid, I have a small solar system and generator for power. Gravity flow water comes from a generous neighbor's spring in the winter and spring. In the summer and fall I use a large generator to pump well water. Heat comes from firewood I cut, split, and burn in the woodstove. Propane is used to fuel the refrigerator and range.
Although I have a secure aviary for my laying hens they prefer the woodlands during the day. Bobcats, coyotes, and hawks sometimes make a meal of "my girls." I hate it when that happens, but you've never seen a happier chicken than one that gets to roam the range freely—that's why I rarely leave them locked up when the sun is shining.
When my dogs aren't asleep at my feet they will run off predators including mountain lions. Black bear lumber through my yard once in awhile. That's when the dogs bark from under the house while I bang pots and pans together and yell, "You get out of here now!" Thankfully that's worked out well so far.
My sincere hope is that each month you will join me for an online nature walk somewhere in these magnificent Pacific coastlands. Each time we step into the great outdoors I will encourage you to hear whatever messages nature has for you.
Come along. Give a listen sometime. Nature's Voice is always calling. |
Shorelines – Tricky Transitions
by Michele Oksen
A new year offers a great occasion to focus on transition from one stage of personal development to another.
Sounds simple right? Just decide to change and, "poof," out pops perfection. No fuss, no muss. We wish. More like, "poof," out pops a pimple from all the stress of trying to be perfect. Patience with oneself, as well as others, is important during this process. Change can be challenging.
Let's say we want to transition from being who we are to being kinder people—like the people our dogs think we are. To choose kindness might come naturally, to some degree, but when someone pesters and provokes us we are often likely to bark out with anger rather than with compassionate words. That's where changing course comes into play. Although a conditioned reaction may be to return a growl with a snarl, personally I'm never proud of myself when I do that. So how can I learn to perk my ears and wag my figurative tail instead?
Well, next time someone baits me with "poison meat" I believe I must be aware of, I will acknowledge and accept that I have an ego that wants to bound into action and protect me. Then I must use my intellect and spirituality to override, shall we say, my animal instincts, so I can chose a response more in accordance with the evolving me.
Ok, I know taking a step in the direction of change is not always easy. It would be nice if it were as fun as chasing a stick from the sands of Morro Strand into the gentle rolling surf. More often it's like a clumsy stroll through crashing waves at the shoreline of our northern SLO County.
Morro Rock and Strand
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Northern SLO County Shoreline
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To transition from one spiritual, emotional, or physical level to another requires that we risk being potentially ungraceful and awkward as we progress. Jagged rocks, slippery surfaces, and territorial beach dwellers are just some of the hurdles we must jump to reach the tides of advancement. Never mind we all get bruised buttocks and knocked knees. Forget that fear is a certainty. When we decide we have reached a turning point isn't that as good a time and reason as any to take a leap of faith? Splash. Right into the unknown.
So, here we are, at the beginning of 2011, ready to concentrate on self-improvement, ready for the opportunity for the betterment of our choices, our conduct, and our unique contributions. We know that when we transition we will encounter difficulty along the way—some of our own making. And that's ok. That's part of the deal. When we overcome that which trips us up, we arrive at our desired destination. That's just what a rite of passage is like.
This year let's transition from who we've been in the past to who we can be in the present. Let's be patient with ourselves when we slip a bit as we move onward. Come on! Let's grow.
Banner Image by Fugle |
