by Deb Matlock
“Time in nature soothes my soul’s lovely wild.” Angie Weiland-Crosby
Time. It is a common non-renewable resource shared by all. All life..human, more-than-human, seen, unseen…all of us have a finite time in our physical forms on this amazing planet.
Given that, time to me seems to be one of the most intimate gifts we can give ourselves, each other, and the world around us. I value deeply, prioritize time connected to wild nature, and always yearn for more regardless. It is like my heart, soul, and mind can align with each other and feel the wildness within me and the world.
And, even with this wild time as one of my deepest values, modern life demands that I work hard to include this precious, sacred time in my schedule. Between running a business, writing projects, and caring for my animals, garden, and home, I must diligently craft a plan for deep collaboration and connection with wild nature.
Sometimes this means I step outside my door to feel and notice the wild and natural rhythms around me. Other times, I can get away from my familiar places and explore the wildness of another park, trail, state, or country for days on end. And, of course, everything in between. A simple dog walk through the neighborhood can be a time of deep and wild connection!
This wild time has taught me that the critical part is the awareness of the desire to connect. In this awareness, any amount of conscious time with wild nature becomes sacred.
Wild time is…
Contemplating where my food comes from as we prepare a meal
Staring at the night sky and realizing how small we are in the vastness of it all
Standing in the rain
Dancing in the wind
Soaking in the sun
Tasting the snowflakes as they fall
Helping an injured animal
Being awestruck by the sunset
Crying as we watch a hawk feast on a rodent
Smiling as we watch a hawk feast on a rodent
Feeling overwhelmed with awe as we watch a hawk feast on a rodent
Subjective
Universal
Finite
Infinite
Clear
Mysterious
Plentiful
Scarce
Wild time is life. It is everything when we let it be. It is the dance that forms our days. It is the mystery that nourishes our minds. It is the wisdom that our hearts and souls recognize readily. It is where we are our most authentic selves.
How can we be more aware of wild time as we go through our days, weeks, months, and years? How can we let it inform, nurture, deepen, and surprise us?
These questions are wild questions and ones we need to ask.
Deb Matlock grew up in the mountains of Colorado and is deeply committed to nurturing the connection between people, animals, earth, and spirit. She has spent twenty-five years working as a professional environmental and humane educator and naturalist. Additionally, Deb offers nature-based spiritual guidance, nature connection trainings for practitioners, animal communication, nature connection workshops, and retreats through her business, Wild Rhythms. She is passionate about helping people find connection and deep spiritual meaning in their lives and in the places where they live. Deb holds a Master of Arts in Environmental Education from Prescott College and is pursuing her doctoral degree in environmental studies at Antioch University New England.
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For more information about the work of Deb Matlock and Wild Rhythms, please visit https://wild-rhythms.com/