Standing still in the forest
Originally published in the Morisset and Peninsula Bulletin, June 2018.
Submitted by Lindi Bowen-Needs for Morisset and Peninsula Sustainable Neighbourhood Group.
Submitted by Lindi Bowen-Needs for Morisset and Peninsula Sustainable Neighbourhood Group.
What can you hear?
The wind in the trees, rustling the leaves.
It is calming, isn’t it.
Is the breeze warm, or cool? Is the sun hot or warming?
Can you smell scents of Eucalyptus or earthy smells?
Does a magpie warble? Does a kookaburra laugh and then three more join in?
Is there some high-pitched twittering from the small secret birds hidden in a leafy shrub?
Is there a curious slight scuffle in the leaf litter? Was it a little skink?
There’s a measured scraping sound repeating in the leaf litter. It’s a blue tongue lizard dragging itself into a sunnier position, tongue flashing to taste the air. It stops in the patch of sun and closes its eyes in appreciation of the warmth.
Looking at the shrub in front of you. Is that a twig or a large stick insect?
Does a butterfly flit by? Is that a hairy caterpillar on that half eaten leaf?
Look more closely. There are little bugs in pretty colours hiding among the leaves and flowers. What are they? They are so small. A tiny one centimetre praying mantis is preying on them. It needs some tucker.
The quiet sounds of the forest are soothing your mind.
The intricate details and tiny creatures are fascinating, stimulating your thoughts.
You want to share the joy.
Everyone should have the opportunity to soothe their minds and to experience the wonders of standing still in the forest, shouldn’t they? In a natural forest that has bugs, birds and butterflies.
You wonder, “What can I do to help this happen?”
Share your love of the forest with others around you.
Network with others who have similar love for nature in your local Sustainable Neighbourhood or Landcare Group.
Maybe a brilliant idea will light in your mind and become a real life beacon in the world.
Just from standing still in a forest and letting it speak to you.
The wind rustles in the leaves and a wagging Willy Wagtail chatters at you…
The wind in the trees, rustling the leaves.
It is calming, isn’t it.
Is the breeze warm, or cool? Is the sun hot or warming?
Can you smell scents of Eucalyptus or earthy smells?
Does a magpie warble? Does a kookaburra laugh and then three more join in?
Is there some high-pitched twittering from the small secret birds hidden in a leafy shrub?
Is there a curious slight scuffle in the leaf litter? Was it a little skink?
There’s a measured scraping sound repeating in the leaf litter. It’s a blue tongue lizard dragging itself into a sunnier position, tongue flashing to taste the air. It stops in the patch of sun and closes its eyes in appreciation of the warmth.
Looking at the shrub in front of you. Is that a twig or a large stick insect?
Does a butterfly flit by? Is that a hairy caterpillar on that half eaten leaf?
Look more closely. There are little bugs in pretty colours hiding among the leaves and flowers. What are they? They are so small. A tiny one centimetre praying mantis is preying on them. It needs some tucker.
The quiet sounds of the forest are soothing your mind.
The intricate details and tiny creatures are fascinating, stimulating your thoughts.
You want to share the joy.
Everyone should have the opportunity to soothe their minds and to experience the wonders of standing still in the forest, shouldn’t they? In a natural forest that has bugs, birds and butterflies.
You wonder, “What can I do to help this happen?”
Share your love of the forest with others around you.
Network with others who have similar love for nature in your local Sustainable Neighbourhood or Landcare Group.
Maybe a brilliant idea will light in your mind and become a real life beacon in the world.
Just from standing still in a forest and letting it speak to you.
The wind rustles in the leaves and a wagging Willy Wagtail chatters at you…
