Seeds of Change

I became a first time home owner about this time last year. It was one of the most exciting times of my life. But then when the world stood still, it was one of the most terrifying. My life was thrown into a whirlwind of change.

There were times when it felt overwhelming and other times when it became the best and most productive days I’ve known. I found myself with free day after free day to do anything my heart desired.

I made a lot of art. I painted most of the inside of my house and parts of the outside. I cooked and baked, biked long distances, hiked and traveled around my state. I made plans. The seeds were planted.

I began to learn how to garden. I fell in love with the earth and how working with it can fill my soul with joyful growth. I started to really understand how we are all part of nature and that the earth and life of plants are much stronger than humans. They control us more easily than we can control them. I learned more deeply how all life must work together to survive.

All of these lessons made it possible to appreciate forests, waters, prairie and other lands I happened upon. It helped me to feel more comfortable with change, know that change is good. Even bad effort can lead to a positive outcome. Everything that happens has something to teach us.

This past year made me want to do more good for our world. I believe that the art I make is my legacy and that it does help make the lives of those who see it just a little bit better. However, the day traveling I’ve done and writing about these trips allows me to reach a larger audience. To share my insights and the interesting places I find gives many more people joy, if only for the few minutes it takes to read my stories. And along the way, I can share my art along with my love for life.

Todays post isn’t about any specific place. It is cold today and I couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to pile on layers for a long hike, only a short trip along Lake Michigans shore to my old neighborhood to see if anything new happened in the last few months. Aside from a few new house colors there was little visible change. But it felt different. It is no longer my neighborhood and I felt like a visitor. I miss living there, but I am ok with where my life is being directed.

I also feel extremely lucky to be living where I do. I am closer to more green spaces and further away from the noise of urban life but still close enough to visit almost any time I feel the need to be a part of the excitement.

This time has brought at least some change for some of us, much change for most. The winds of change will lessen before they grow stronger and we have learned that normal is irrelevant, everything will continue to evolve Although we humans must make some changes in our behavior to help, Mother nature will continue to keep the cycle of life spinning. The greatest lesson I learned this year is that the only possible constant is change.

Stay well, enjoy life,

Jenny