When I am outdoors, magic happens. The magic is not forced upon me. It enters my soul and bathes my body, my mind and my emotions in sweet-smelling serenity. Walking in the woods calms me like nothing else does. My body changes when I am mindful of this sacred communion with nature. My feet become lighter and my toes touch the earth with reverence. I am aware that my senses are heightened. I can smell the trees and some are pungent. When the wind comes up and blows hard, I can hear limbs creaking and branches rubbing against each other. There are times when the wind whispers softly in my ears and other times when it howls. My body straightens and my head leans forward to hear the rustling sounds in the underbrush. A chipmunk darts across the path in front of me. My eyes become watchful, scanning for movement in the woods. I become aware of the sound of the beating of my heart. I can feel it quivering inside my chest. My breathing becomes deeper with each step I take. Fine sweat beads on my forearms. I stop in absolute silence . I chant inside my head: “Here is beauty. Beauty lives in me. I am one with the earth. The earth blesses me. Great Spirit. It is well with my soul. It is well.”

In the silence, I can feel the faint vibration in the air as wings beat in flight. I can see, out of the corner of my eye, a flash of color that is pleasing to my eye. I watch with bated breath as the bird preened before calling to nearby birds. I watch his chest inflate with air. Bird notes pour out of his mouth. The notes are achingly beautiful. He sings as if his heart would break. Again and again, he breaks the stillness of the woods with his song. There is a rushing of wings, as other birds lite on tree branches around him. He chirps with happiness. He is no longer alone. I chant again inside my mind: “It is well. It is well with my soul.”                                                                                Yu/stan/kema