Changing seasons can be messy in nature and in life. Here’s what I observed and reflected on in September 2015. Little did I know that just five years later, that messiness would take on a whole new meaning in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Morning walk, early September As I walk this morning in early September, I notice lots […]
Nature (Connect with the natural world)
Is Your Compass Pointing To True North?
Note from Elizabeth: My guest author today is Laura Fogle, a personal friend and faithful reader. After reading my April Compass Points newsletter (“Life and Death in the Pandemic”), she graciously shared this experience and its spiritual lessons. I was so moved by it and am grateful to her for allowing me to share it […]
The Shenandoah
Encouraged by our writing group leader, Sarah Kohrs, to try different writing genres, I entered this into a Mountain Courier poetry contest. It was selected to be included in their April 2020 issue for National Poetry Month. The contest theme was “Uniquely Shenandoah.” The Shenandoah Listen to River’s voice from murky depths and restless […]
Have you seen these breathtaking signs of Spring?
Springtime… The very word evokes vivid images, sounds, and smells, especially for those of us who live in a part of the world where Spring is a distinct season. Spring is also laced with symbols of rebirth and hope after the darkness of winter. Every bulb that pushes its way through clods of dirt into […]
Get Outdoors and Discover the Forest
This post has been updated since it first appeared in 2010. It’s so important that we teach our children and grandchildren about the fascinating natural world around them. Not only is it good for both body and soul, but it encourages exploration and cultivates the powers of observation. I wanted to share two excellent resources […]
Life Is Like A River: Keep It Unpolluted
Life is like a river, made up of many smaller streams. Are you taking care of the streams flowing into your life’s river to keep them unpolluted? As I crossed the low-water bridge on my walk this morning and marveled at the beautiful North Fork of the Shenandoah River, I recalled how different the river […]
Storm’s Comin’ In!
Bad storms come—in weather and in life. But they never last forever. I took a break from the computer and was about to open the door to walk up the long driveway to the mailbox when I heard it—the ominous rumble of thunder and its warning of a storm moving in. I’d been so immersed […]
7 Ways To Make Your Next Vacation More Soul-Nourishing
Not only is it essential for you to take vacations and breaks from your normal routine, but there are ways you can ensure that those you take are more therapeutic and soul nourishing. This is an update to a post from the Heartspoken archives. Breaks are essential to our well-being As soon as we lifted off […]