Inspiration short #20: Go into the woods
by Danielle Charles
And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.
– William Shakespeare
I think we need to escape into the woods every now and again. Something happens there on those light dappled paths with the breath of wind in the trees and sound of silence immersed beneath every stone that is not just helpful to but needed by our spirits. It is a requirement for our sanity. We need it just the same as we need food or water.
We need not the studies that tell us being in nature improves our happiness, our health – adds a sensation of vibrancy to our lives. We know this. We need only make our way down that woodland path to know it. The whispering of the wind lulls our minds and the streams carry away our troubles on their rippling currents. The shadows of the trees lift the weariness from our shoulders. And somewhere along the way, maybe in the way the light flickers upon a leaf or the call of jay echoing in the stillness, we find ourselves again. We leave feeling as though all of the axis of our self and our spirit have re-aligned themselves. We find our way out of our heads and back into our hearts.
So go out into the woods. Go there as often as you can.
The Teacup Chronicles 
I try to walk amongst trees as much as possible. Working in a city (currently in a windowless basement) I just feel I wake up when I go for a walk through the little wooded area near my home – its tiny but perfect
It does make such a difference, doesn’t it? I’m glad to hear you’ve an area right near you to escape to after being holed up in the windowless basement!! I will cross my fingers for you that soon you will be able to work in light filled space with a view of your lovely woodland 🙂
D
Beautiful post and I couldn’t agree more, the woods are the most healing place I can think of. There is something about having your entire field of vision flooded with trees and plants that makes you remember how simple and perfect things are. I also love the forest floor and the rich, deep smells. Everywhere you look there is something to marvel at and all your senses are fully awakened. Oooo heaven is a place on Earth… (did I just show my age there?) 🙂
Much love
xxxxx
I know just what you mean – and by the way, I love that song 🙂
D
I’m laughing in irony at woods being the most healing place you can think of Lucinda, the joke is entirely on me though. I’ve discovered just how healing a walk in the woods can be this week, I seem to have had blinkers on for so long but my walk on Tuesday really cleared the mental blockages and made me feel ‘human’ again, hugging a few of my favourite trees may have helped also 🙂
Hugging trees is always sure to cheer the heart, as dear Lucinda has helped to remind us!!
My last escape to the woods saw me “lost” and walking in circles for over two hours………….very memorable. I ended up following the railway line and we dont have one on our property?
Its sort of a nice thing getting lost now and again. Perhaps I shall write an inspiration short on it in the future 🙂 I find that I always discover something (railway line?) that I never knew was there before. Glad you found your way home though! 🙂
D
Totally love this Danielle! I try and go at least once a week. It keeps me sane;-) Enjoy so much when we pass a wooded spot little Dylan asking me if it is OUR woods:) Well, yes Dylan, they are our woods, all of them. Our lovely inheritance from nature. Looking forward to the first snow and taking him through the woods, when things are so transformed, and the sound of just silence snow imparts on the landscape. xxxxxxxx
It’s especially fun to take the little ones into the woods, isn’t it? I think they just immediately behold the magic there, and it transforms them. Always such a pleasure to watch the transformation. Looking forward to the snow (gasp, did I say that?!?) too, I love the silence and stillness.
XOXO
D
🙂 I had to smile, Danielle. We both seem to appreciate the stillness of snow. A time of year, when we can be like the plant world, and rest into our roots, granted not as thoroughly as they can, but still:) big hugs to you dear Danielle xxxx oh and btw, is there a way to comment here and have notifications sent of follow up comments? If there is a way,I am afraid I don’t see it…
Lovely post Danielle 🙂 I’m looking forward to the snow as well, but not the cold, hopefully the UK will be prepared for the cold, white, fluffy stuff falling in abundance again this year as we’re supposed to have another very cold winter, instead of grinding to a halt like last year lol, I won’t hold my breath!
Just looking at the photos is soul healing, next time I get lost on the path of life will someone yell go to the woods to me please? I have a feeling I’ll get sorted a lot faster that way!
Herby hugs – Debs x
Hi Debs!
So great to hear from you, I hope the autumn is treating you very well! We just had our first snowfall overnight – and I don’t think it will last, but it is very exciting to wake up and find the world transformed!! Hopefully things won’t be too brutal this year for you over there with the cold, and I’ll cross my fingers that perhaps the Government has prepared a little better, maybe bought a few more snow plows 🙂 It takes a lot of snow to shut things down here, but I remember back in my Seattle days how the city just went MAD when we got a little snow – I believe they had just 1 plow for the entire city. Anyhow, glad you’ve enjoyed the photos, and I find to, that sometimes I forget these simple things when I need them the most. But you saw the light at last 🙂
Many well wishes to you!
D
Yes, as often as you can.
I agree, we need the woods to bring us fully alive, as a balm for our weary souls, and the further we have wandered from the woods, the more we need them. I grew up in suburbia and later found going to the woods as often as I could, was not enough. I found I had to live in the woods . . . I don’t suppose we are all woodland creatures at heart, but I certainly am. I guess I feel about the forest the way others feel about the sea, an absolutely magnetic attraction.
I know what you mean, Laurel. Entering the woods seems to snap me back into myself, and I don’t think I really feel myself when I am away too long. I’m also convinced that so many of our modern day afflictions result from our separation from the natural world – and that simply returning to these natural spaces is what we need most of all to be well. Anyways, living in the woods is truly the best, isn’t it? 🙂
XOXO
D