Rituals Connecting Us to the Earth and Each Other
By Karen Storms-Rohm
In an email earlier this week, each collective member was prompted:
Describe a ritual or activity you do that connects you to the land and beauty of the season.
The week continued with a trickle of insightful, poetic, simple wisdom gracing my inbox and consistently drawing me into communion with this incredible place we call home. As I read my colleagues' responses, I found myself in each of their reflections. It reminded me of a Shakespeare quote I’d seen somewhere: One touch of Nature makes the whole world kin. What brought me joy was the notion that we, and I mean the big WE, have way more in common than we have differences. I often wonder if WE focused more on what is common, WE might find solutions to our differences a bit easier.
We hope you’re enjoying your summer and finding ways to embody your appreciation for this magical corner of Earth. If you like, take inspiration from the writings below, and definitely join us in our studios for classes and bodywork sessions infused with our love of the land.
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Becky: When life gets overwhelming, I find grounding in nature resets my nervous system. Standing barefoot in the grass, sand, or lake and just taking a few deep breaths is enough to get me regulated and right minded.
Jenn: This time of year, I wake early, heat water for coffee, step outside & commune with bunnies, birds & blooms. This mid-July, the colors in my garden have expanded exponentially. Deep maize, periwinkle, crimson, cornflower blue; the greens are all varieties from speckled lime to deep evergreen, verdant one & all. The tomato patch has already delivered fist-sized beauties, awaiting a summer sammy. I wander out back through dusty brambles & discover ripening blackberries & spot a deer along the path before I stretch myself through a sun salutation & take a morning jog.
Christy: In order to connect to nature I hike at least once a week. I walk on the beach to feel grounded. There is a special spot where I sit and drink my coffee every morning looking out the window. These practices help me feel peaceful and balanced.
Kari: I love wild harvesting wildflowers throughout the spring, summer, and fall in Northern Michigan. I wild harvest these wildflowers for the organic medicinal salves I make and for flower bouquets. I love laying in the sun, swimming, and watching the sunset at Mollineaux Beach on Crystal Lake. My new Northern Michigan love is fishing for native brown trout in Pine River and floating in my Blackhawk canoe with my boyfriend and friends.
Lauren: I walk almost every day with my dogs. I try to connect with my 5 senses, taking in the sights and sounds and smells of the beautiful area where I live. I feel so grateful to be near the lake and live in such a nature-rich area.
Amelia: I sit and try to get quiet to listen, notice the movement and stillness, enjoy the colors and textures. Sometimes I feel the connection of my feet and sacrum to the earth, connect to the sky, to the directions, breathe into my heart and say hello to all of the beings around me, and express gratitude. Swimming in Lake Michigan, I’m a guest and never take it for granted.
Sarah: I hike barefooted. The trick is to not look down the whole time! You have to slow down, pay attention, and be present. It feels good all over!
Chris: Whenever I am outside I love to stop what I'm doing and look into the distance. I try to notice the landscape; the trees, hills, birds....it makes me feel very blessed and humble.
Christina: Nearly each and every morning, in all seasons, I walk from my sweet little home in Frankfort to the shoreline of Lake Medicine. I throw my arms open wide with reverence and awe, both as an offering of my wild heart & a recharging for my resilient spirit. Though I almost always walk the same path, it is never the same— nor am I, for keeping this sacred ritual as the basis of my spiritual, philosophical and movement practice.
Maristela: I love being at Grace Rd. beach by dusk. I try to hike there several times a week. From the beach, the dunes stretch wide toward the sky. The waves roll gently, and there seems to be no boundary between sand and water- they simply meet each other. Pure contentment; it is great being alive.
Kelley: I've always been drawn to the earth, feeling grounded and supported with bare soles on solid ground. This summer, though, I've been treasuring daily swims in the warm, Crystal water, feeling the freedom and joy of being held in that fluid space. Afterward, I plant my feet on the soil again, this time more in flow with the currents of the day and life at large.
Karen: We love to eat and make medicine from the land. We try to nourish our family with as much local fruits, vegetables, and meats as we can. Supporting farm stands, farmer's markets, growing our own, sharing with friends, and foraging in the fields, forests and waters, for us, is a ritual of gratitude.
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With love,
Karen of KWC