I sit here today, the first day of 2019, contemplating the year gone by. 2018 wasn’t the best year for us. My husband and I have both been working only part-time jobs and as a result, our cash flow is at quite a low ebb. We’ve had some family issues to contend with, mostly resolved, thankfully. I’ve also not been dealing well with the “state of the world.” Like many others, contemplating global warming, rampant racism, mass shootings, warfare, environmental degradation, species declines, and so many other issues can be extremely depressing, and quite frightening. On top of that, I just didn’t get out to do as much wandering as I’d hoped to in 2018. So I wave a not-altogether-fond adieu to the year we’ve left behind.
This year, I have 365 opportunities to make changes.
There are things I can do (we can all do) to alleviate the stresses we feel concerning the often overwhelming state of the world. Meditating has always been very grounding, very calming for me, and I plan to do much more of it in 2019. I also plan to do more journaling. Along with one of my co-workers, I will be leading a nature writing club starting this month, and I’m so excited to begin! (If you are interested in joining us, please let me know: The first meeting will be January 10th, in the evening, and we will meet once each month thereafter.)
I also recently saw a post on Facebook in which a fellow walker had written down the hikes on her to-do list for the coming year, and I’ve resolved to do the same. The goal of the post, for 2018, was to walk 100 miles during the course of the year. That sounds like a doable goal, although I definitely fell short of that milestone myself last year. An easy two miles each week would do the trick… well, we’ll take aim and see where we land! I’ve started a list, which I can build upon, of the trails I’d most like to take in the coming year, as a way to kick-start the process:
Since a set number of miles is not my primary goal (although it is good exercise), I do intend to continue to focus on my real aims, which have not changed over the course of the past year. In terms of what I seek when I’m wandering in nature, or for my writing, I’ve been blessed to have had so many choices and opportunities. I’ve walked a wonderful variety of paths in 2018, both on my own and with my husband and friends. For me, walking in nature brings calm, clarity, spiritual connection, recharging, inspiration, joy, love. I am a forest bather. Actually, I’m pretty sure its encoded on my DNA. I will always be a forest bather.
I toast to you, my wandering friends… I hope you can find space in your schedule to spend with nature many times in the coming year. And I hope 2019 brings you all that you wish for while you are wandering, and beyond.
As a final toast to the New Year, I’d like to post, or re-post, some of my favorite photos. I hope you enjoy them. Happy New Year!
