I was listening to Philip Carr-Gomm yesterday evening (I’ve just discovered him and really resonate with his deep love of nature, the goodness of his spirit is so palpable too) and he said:
”Feel into where you feel at home and burrow deeper”
I played it back a couple of times as it’s exactly what I’ve been doing recently – and he went on to say:
“What makes you feel good in your skin and at home in the world? Whatever that is, follow that – and burrow deeper”
I’ve had a break from social media to tune into summer more so it’s been “more being among trees and beach walks” and a lot less time online until things rev up again shortly.
I’ve been watching the birds: the blackbird trotting across the garden like he’s late for work, the two Eurasian black-collared doves who get along peacefully with everyone else, the easily startled sparrows who hide behind leaves until they see me scattering seeds by their drinking bowl – then the second I go inside, the garden party begins.
And now they have a pool. I moved a big plant pot which had been standing in a deep “base” and filled the base with water for the birds to drink out of.
The first sparrow that hopped towards it stopped at the rim and instead of taking a drink, it jumped in. (OK, it’s a swimming pool now!) The same afternoon, two more little birds hopped in and splashed around, feathers drenched and stuck to their heads at Aquabirdland.
I’ve tuned out of “world news” completely. I stopped watching it years ago because I’d rather spend the hours in my life in nature.
A new bird call I don’t recognise…what could that be? A surprise visit from an owl. The beautifully painted partridges clucking their way across the fields at dusk and dawn. Two hares racing across the meadow (spotted once).
Although the Little Owl (who my sister has renamed Powlo – originally Owly) left his pine tree apartment next to my garden last autumn, I’ve started hearing Little Owls squeaking in the last week or so, so fingers crossed somebody and a friend is back.
Last June, I opened the back door to find a Little Owl standing on my garden steps, then all of a sudden there were little owls everywhere for a couple of months…it was so magical. Sitting in trees, chilling on window sills, fixed gaze, enjoying the summer.
So, burrowing deeper…
Where (or what and who) makes you feel truly at home? Do more of it, spend more time in it (beach, forest, fireside, tent, sunlit studio, riverside, meadow, sitting by the trunk of a pine tree, reading on the sofa?)
And burrow deeper.
I’ve started weaving raffia and collecting sea glass on my early morning walks. Nature is full of free tonics. “Slow” is so good for the soul. Sea air, sunlight, the grassy scent of a park.
Gather in the good things and people around you…freshen up a small room with a vase of flowers…buy spices and make your own chai tea…make a batch of fresh lemonade…bake an apricot, peach and plum compote for pudding tonight and finish off the rest in the morning.
Here’s to the places, things and people who make us feel “at home”.
FEEL INTO WHERE YOU FEEL AT HOME
AND BURROW DEEPER
Philip Carr-Gomm
Greeting card Sunkisses.co.uk