The day proved long, as Monday’s can often feel. A late afternoon rain had cooled everything down and I left to walk the marsh and smell the clean air. I traveled sans electronics choosing to hear cicadas, starlings, and gossipy red-wings rather than risk a phone call or hear a song I’d heard many times before on the iPod. It’s curious how silence has slipped into me. Over the last year a hunger for quiet has grown up in me more fertile and prosperous than dandelions. I love music and dance often in my home, but the days of ear buds and sounds other than nature along my trails seem more past than present these days.
Movement atop the tall stand of trees to the west caught my eye and reminds me why I came out this evening. I won’t say I regretted my lack of camera as he began his circling decent onto the pond, but my hand reflexively traveled to my pocket looking for something to capture his flight. Without any gear to speak of I was left with nothing but my awareness to capture the moment and that, in the end, was my good fortune. He circled twice before landing on the far side, adjusting his wings briefly before slowly strolling through the reeds to the water’s edge. They are, in every sense, magnificent birds. Large with bold markings and yet they move as Buddhist monks on a walking meditation – slow, deliberate, thoughtful. I slow to share in his mindfulness while watching his head turn slightly to catch the sight of fish below the surface. He sees far more in that water than I and so I bow as I pass, one sort of master to another.
The day’s chaos has already floated off and I am struck by what an extraordinary life I lead. I walk in beauty with funds to meet my needs, food in my belly, good use for my hands and time to ponder what has been given me. As often happens when I give my strain to the twilight air, I have been set right by a heron with the grace of flight and sunset water.
Meditation Travelogue 
Beautiful. I’m there.
Delighted you are. Here have a seat next to me. We can watch him together.
A beautiful reflection on gratitude Noelle, that settled me into a pool of quiet as well. Never doubt that words and feelings shared can make a difference.
I remember once on a trip with a friend to his beach house, sitting on the lawn quietly, when a heron landed about twenty feet away and just sat with us. They really are magnificent beings…
Peace
Michael
I agree wholeheartedly that words have impact. It is no small reference in John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” They are, as Merlin would say, how we create magic in this world.
And yes, Herons are one of my favorite birds. So graceful and soothing. Just watching them drops my heart rate a few points. Thanks for stopping by, my friend.
I missed my walk in the park tonight which you provided for me! Many thanks for the lovely, peaceful journey.
Glad you could join me, too!
Oh Noelle ….this is so beautiful , written so tenderly and with a deep truth of who you are and I love you ! Hugs , megxxx
Meg… you are pure magic, my friend! Namaste spirit sister.
I live in the “Blue Heron Neighborhood”, enough said.
I just went hiking at Chatfield State Park yesterday and they were everywhere. So lovely.
A beautifully written window into your life as always. I particularly like the image of silence ‘slipping into you.’ And herons, they have my heart also. Wishing you a lovely and relaxing Sunday in your part of the world.
I can’t imagine anyone not being completely taken by herons. I’d be concerned for their welfare I think!
You write so beautifully, Noelle.
I was able to visualize that heron, and I love that last paragraph. Happy sigh
Thank you, my dear friend. Your words are always a gift. How’s the campaign, by the way. You must be really gearing up now for the last two months of the race.