I have always felt a deep connection to the natural world. Its mystical force can just pull me in—spinning my imagination and losing me in the immensity of its beauty. Last week, I had a so-called “wild encounter” in the woods. Allow me to elaborate.
I was running at sunrise with Ruby, my dog, following her lead as she hugged the trail beside a beautiful stream. The surface of the water was pink, sparkling with the rise of the autumn sun. I glanced upstream and instantly saw a bird—a large bird—flying right at us. We stopped immediately and watched the mirrored image of its flight as it drifted over the stream and landed on a nearby branch. The yellow eyes of a Great Horned Owl had found us. We stood in complete awe, less than five feet away. And for a second, our eyes met.
That image, the timing of it, the sheer perfection of the moment—seeing an owl flying over a stream at sunrise—is an experience I will never forget.
Nature moved me once again, and I believe she has much more to say if we just take the time to listen. In the rustling leaves, there are memories stirring. When lightning splits the sky, you can feel its power rushing all the way to your toes. Rings around the moon can warn of unsettling times ahead, and dark clouds can part when you feel the joy of true love.
Lately, I’ve been trying to see the beauty in more ordinary things found in everyday life. I think there is a lot of beauty that goes unrecognized there. To truly see life as a gift, you have to remember that your experiences are the beauty. In that moment when the majestic creature’s eyes met mine, I think I also remember that he winked—letting me know he already knew that.
Thank you always for reading,
Kelly
Copyright © Kelly Huntson and kellyhuntson.com
*published 2015
Kelly Huntson 