Spring is in full swing here in the Okanagan and today's live entertainment was a performance from these striking percussionists - the Northern Flickers - truly a feast for the senses.
Nature is our Greatest Teacher
Mother Nature is forever speaking to us, sharing stories, offering guidance, nourishment, solace, not to mention inviting us to play, explore and create. I am so grateful to be able to witness life in it's truest and purest form. The flickers colourful drumming performance had my heart singing. As they flew gracefully through the Ponderosa Pines, down to the lake and back up into the garden at great speed, they had my spirit dancing too. Their energy, their excitement, their beauty and love filled me with energy, with love and gratitude and hope. And of-course I am inspired to paint that energy, that love and hope.
Flickers are members of the wood pecker family and woodpeckers can symbolize change coming to you - a new rhythm to embrace.
We are all having to face changes in our lives, some of these changes causing great hardships. When we lost our home back in 2010 during the recession, I turned to my greatest teacher for healing, nourishment and guidance, Mother Earth. Nature has always been my medicine.
There are positives we can take from this difficult time, one positive for many of us, is the gift of having more time - an invitation to slow down. When we slow down, we awaken to the little miracles that are present in every day. The Flickers are a beautiful reminder of how we all have our own song, dance, drum beat and we too, can adapt to a new rrhythm a slower rrhythm one that allows the day to unfold organically where we get to witness all the little miracles unfolding before us.
As I sit and write this post, the Saskatoon's fresh vibrant green leaves dance majestically in the gentle breeze and I am excited, for I know that soon blossoms will bloom and I know that means the hummingbirds will arrive - gifting immense joy to all. This knowing gives me hope, for I can appreciate every unfolding of the Saskatoon's growth before the humming birds arrive. I also know that we will return to the sacred land and sing and dance among the trees and the birds once more..one day not too far away.
The Earth is not just our environment ~ We are the Earth and the Earth is us ~ We have always been One With the Earth
Thich Nhat Hanh
For now, we can appreciate from a distance the beauty of the natural world unfolding and witness all the little miracles that are unfolding right before our eyes - Our loved ones smiles, laughter, tears, heartbeat. Take your time to adapt to a new rhythm - like all things in nature nothing is rushed, be gentle on yourself. Keep well my beautiful friends, know you are deeply loved, peace Marghanita x
