Over the past month, I touched on different aspects of abundance and how it shows up in my life. I completely forgot about Earth Day until the end of Monday as glanced at my calendar. When my boys were little, the day was celebrated outside in the garden or hiking and exploring the trails. These days, I tend to take a different approach.
I celebrate Mother Earth and her bounty everyday.
Every morning, I look outside and notice the small changes and details of the day. Today the buds on the popular trees finally sprouted into tiny, new green leaves. Overnight, the bright yellow dandelion heads disappeared into fluffy puff balls of seeds waiting to be wished upon. I notice the cloud formations and colors before checking the weather app on my phone.
After my morning practice on the yoga mat, I lace up my shoes and meander down my long driveway. The mornings are still chilly, so I sadly wear my winter coat as the cold snap meets me at the door. Not deterred, I briskly walk down the hill and meet the sun appearing over the treetops. I stand for a moment and bask in the morning light and sun’s warmth. I continue to take in my surroundings to spot the crab apple tree in full bloom in my neighbor’s yard and hear a hawk screech overhead. The tiny ferns are slowly unfurling themselves, creating perfect spirals.
Nature’s beauty is simply amazing and I do not want to miss a thing.
I am grateful for my home in the mountains and notice how my nervous system relaxes and a sense of ease washes over me. After living in several areas of the US, I prefer wild, natural spaces. When I travel to the suburbs or cities, I crave and seek time outside. When my oldest son was young, my kind neighbor stopped in with a loaf of pumpkin bread and an idea.
She would drop by and drag me out for a quick solo cross-country ski through the snow covered streets of New Hampshire. She helped me strap a child to my back and we climbed mountains together. She taught me there was no excuse to stay inside. Proper outdoor clothing, equipment and a positive attitude was all that was required. Alone or with kids, I felt energized making time to get outside.
I learned about gardening, buying organic and local foods and buying bulk food. My house was the local drop off for a Co-op of produce, grains and beans. As the children ate food and played, the mothers weighed, divided and decanted the food into glass mason jars and containers. Several years later, I moved farther from civilization to the country. I spent hours digging stones out of gardens, raking dirt into raised beds to plant food for my family.
Fridays were spent at a lovely old family farm where I picked up raw milk and yogurt. We visited the animals and played on the huge swing by the barn. Charlie, the farm hand, adopted my boys for chore time and we piled into the Willy (old green Jeep) to the various outdoor pens. It was educational, but more than that it was fun!
Having a stocked fridge and pantry, I learned how to cook whole foods, rather than my limited cooking of mac’n cheese and pasta with red sauce. I read Nourishing Traditions and Healing with Whole Foods and was enamored with the ancient and traditional cooking techniques. I learned how to make fermented veggies, sprouted grains, bone broth and my own yogurt.
Developing from my yoga practice, I learned Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine, originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. This opened my eyes to seasonal eating, healthy rhythms and color. I adapted my cooking to include more of the six rasas (sour, sweet, salty, pungent and spicy and astringent) and learned how food affected my unique body and system.
I learned about herbology and folk medicine making from wise old women in the area who were thrilled to pass it on to the younger generation. I soaked it up and began to make my own remedies, tinctures, salves and flower essences. I added common plants and “weeds” to my food and tea blends.
On Full Moons I gathered with women and circled around a campfire in the woods. Surrounded by trees and the elements, we listened, shared stories and wisdom. We supported each other through challenges and celebrations. Tarot cards were introduced (as they do), and I began my journey learning and discovering about the cards and myself. Journaling became a daily practice and I recorded my learning and thoughts.
I absorbed it all and began to weave it into my daily and seasonal life.
When I moved away from New Hampshire, I lost my circle of friends. These women who meant so much to me and shared such a precious time of my life were gone. It was time to step into a new journey. Moving to Tennessee was challenging and a struggle at the beginning. Slowly, I managed to etch out a rhythm to my days… yet something was missing.
I lacked the connection of friends, especially women. The internet was my home for connection at that time. I found women who wrote wonderful blogs. They took me into their homes and lives. I felt a part of their journey despite never meeting them in person. I sought out teachers and signed up for on-line courses to deepen my knowledge of my interests and myself.
Over the past twenty-five years, my eyes opened to an entirely different world than the one I was born into. Despite being labeled “tree hugger” and “black sheep” by my family, I finally felt at home in my mind, body and soul.
Substack brings me full circle to that feeling of blogging years ago. I feel like I am transported back to those early days of motherhood when connection was my lifeline. The people that are here, sharing their stories and insights add yet another layer to my life. I am drawn back to Substack, spending less and less time on social media.
People are here to share and connect in a more authentic way. I want more of that! It is challenging to pick from all the writers, but these tend to be my go to’s for connection and inspiration.
Sparkle and Creatively Conscious The Unraveled Heart Write MagicYogaland The Tortoise Gather & Grow The Mindful Consumer Harver & Sparrow
Brand Seasons
I am grateful for all the teachers, friends, books, traditions that have become a part of my life. It all began with a deep interest, curiosity and love for Mother Earth. As the resources are rare, I attempt to live mindfully, sustainable and kindly on the land. I am aware of the water shortage, deforestation, receding and rising water temperatures. Instead of leaning into fear, I take action through mindful consumption and volunteering for organizations that care and heal the land.
I want to share myself, my story, my lessons and pass them on to others. I look forward to creating connection and community with my readers and others in this space.
I want to inspire people to step outdoors and notice the magic that awaits them.
Through all of this writing about abundance this month, I found the new name for my Substack. It has been there all along, just waiting to appear. It actually showed up on a 5 year dream board I created with
.Blythe’s Mountain Hideaway
The name will change, but I remain the same. I will show up here imperfectly, vulnerablly and willing to learn and share along the way.
A little snippet of my morning time on the porch. Enjoy!
Thank you for being here.
Talk to you soon!
Blythe
Here’s to showing up imperfectly! It’s time for me to embrace a little imperfection of my own as I get back into writing and sharing.
Have you read the book Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat? I was reminded of it when you mentioned the six rasas!