We all have a part to play

As I admire the beauty of the natural areas I keep seeing the impact humans are having on the world. The smoke stack looms high above the tree line. The black smoke rolls out and appears as a cloud ready to rain, but the puffs keep moving. And you can sure smell it. Getting stronger when the wind blows from the west, carrying it all over the city.

The houses along the lake remind me that people live here, in this wilderness, too. I come to see the natural wildlife that we are increasingly a part of, yet have less concern for than ever in history.

The rocks are cut to make way for humans. But did anyone ever stop to think about the home it took away from the animals?

And the trash. Its everywhere. Along the paths, under a tree, behind a rock. Everywhere I go there is always something that does not belong.

Each time I notice the human impact on the world I am reminded that I am a part of this too. And I have a part to play, for better or for worse. I know what Im going to do, do you?

Walks

Submerged in nature. 

Surrounded by the glory of god. 

Suspended in time. 

Refreshing for my spirit 

Nourishment for my mind 

Strength for my body 

Music in the air

We started out on what we thought would be a nice short walk. It quickly turned into a trek that lasted over two hours. About half way we stopped to rest and appreciate what we could see and hear, admiring the landscape and all critters that were moving about. We were on Lake Laurentian with the sun setting, a perfect scene. A mosquito lands on me to find its meal and all else is silent.

As I look around I see the white flowers blow in the wind. Then, out of nowhere the geese take flight, squawking as they hurried over the marsh. Lucky for me, I had my camera out and capture the whole ordeal a it unraveled before my eyes.

With the lake in the distance, the clouds gently laying above us, and a forest surrounding us we found a quiet place. There was a smell, something beautiful but I coundn't trace it. We keep walking as we still had quite a ways to go. The the moon had risen and the wind made music with the leaves. This is a quiet place, a sacred space. One that will never be the same, yet will always be there.