searching for inspo
While waiting for the creative writing muse to whisper in my ear, I picked up field notes from other writers to inspire me to write better tales for you. The result just may inspire you too.
Stories From the Trail:
Field Notes on Moving Through the Wild
edited by Heidi Barr & Connor Wolfe
Recently, I grabbed this collection of short stories by adventure seekers while at a local bookstore near my favorite hiking trails thinking it may inspire me my writing.
In the introduction, Heidi Barr asks “…Why do you move through wild spaces, why does it matter, and how have you evolved as a result of doing so?” The authors on the following pages share tales of how moving through wild spaces inspires, delights, and motivates them. Their words stirring recognition of similar feelings, thoughts, experiences within me, I find it difficult to only share snippets rather than the entire collection of short stories. If you have the time, I recommend the read!
Today, I’ll highlight why I move through wild spaces, why it matters to me, and how I’ve evolved as a sprightly being by doing so. Ok, maybe the last one is physically obvious but maybe some interesting revelation will find me.
What’s my ‘Why’?
Easy answer:
I move through wild spaces because my soul sings loudly when I do. I feel most alive outdoors with my soul wild and free. I am awed and enamored, humbled and honest, raw and rugged when I visit wild spaces.
Of course, I return again and again to experience the vitality offered at the altars and cathedrals of mountains, forests, landscapes. Time in wilderness empties any worry and diminishes my insecurities about the future. Wouldn’t you return for the relief of feeling insignificant in the grand scheme of the Universe?
why it matters
Sprite in otherworldly fairyland
Hard answer:
To prove to myself and others I can despite my frame, my gender, my appearance. I know it shouldn’t matter but somehow it always has lingered in my ego. To live up to my brothers, to be tough enough or simply enough is a hard should-ism to release. It’s still true though. Ouch.
I learn valuable lessons. Not just about my self in the sense of grit, perseverance, or capabilities, but a sense of my place in the Universe. Stewardship for land. Advocating for access for everyone to experience the wild. For paying it forward. Time in nature offered me everything I needed to get here to this moment.
More importantly, being in wild spaces grounds/centers/calms me. As mentioned above, the feeling of being insignificant means my worries don’t matter and everything will work out for the best. This perspective matters. For me and for those around me. Playing in inspirational wilderness turns me into an inspiration to my friends, family, community. At least I hope it does!
my evolution
High School Shenanigans: my friend group decided to have a food fight contest in the local park.
As a child, playing in nature came naturally and by the time I entered my teens I deeply understood how much spending time outdoors meant to me. I’ve mentioned it before and it’s worth restating here; it’s in my blood. My lineage includes farmers. I, too, feel the need to dig in the dirt and sing to flowers.
More evidence: That field trip to Rock Eagle where we had to engage in ropes courses and team building activities? Loved it. That science/nature trip to Jekyll Island? My jam. It was simply a part of life back then. My friend group often played in the park. Even though we weren’t hiking or spending time on trails, we spent most of our time outside in some capacity.
Even in college I lived life by the lake and briefly entertained the idea of a degree in outdoor education after a weekend retreat for a class. Yes, it involved more ropes courses and studying group dynamics. It was magical. What a time to be alive! After college, bigger wilder adventures ensued. Now, looking back at how I’ve aged while meandering through wilderness, I’m appreciative of the lessons nature brings me. How the wild shaped my identity from a reckless teen to a compassionate soul.
your turn!
Cosmos to help you contemplate your cosmos ;-)
What’s your why? Why does it matter for you to explore wild spaces? And lastly, who have you become due to experiencing wilderness?