“The sacred is in the ordinary…

it is to be found in one’s daily life, in one’s neighbors, friends, and family, in one’s own backyard…travel may be a flight from confronting the sacred–this lesson can be easily lost. To be looking elsewhere for miracles is to me a sure sign of ignorance that everything is miraculous.”

― Abraham Harold Maslow

I took Missy for a walk at a local state park.  In her typical dog fashion, she found it much
more fascinating to explore the trees and everything within her leash’s reach “off trail.”

She subsequently tangled her leash and collar in mess of brush that paralyzed her. I was puzzled to watch her continue to sniff without a care in the world.  She just might have been happy in that position all day!

I was annoyed.  I was all about the trail walk.  Key word, “trail.”  After I ventured through the branches to release her from the tangled mess, I removed a twig lodged beneath her collar.  And, that stopped me in my tracks.

I was immediately smitten with this tiny treasure of a twig!  Take a peak…

I love the twigs’ shape, the curls, the teeny swirls, the grain and the simplicity.

Maybe it’s because nature seems to have been buried under a blanket of snow and this tiny twig feels like a sign spring’s hope.

Or, maybe I finally tuned in and noticed the sacred in the ordinary.

Maybe, just maybe, after all these years of my dad telling me that all life’s answers can be found in nature, I finally understand his reverence for conservation and honoring mother earth.  I can’t tell you how many trees he has planted in his lifetime so far, but I refer to him as a tree millionaire as he converts acre after acre of Iowa farmland back to woods.

I proudly showed off my precious twig to every member of the family, advising them to gently handle its fragile beauty.  This of course led to some teen eye-rolling and laughter.

One more aha moment: venturing off the trail and forging your own path probably is where you will find treasure.

When I uploaded my final photo, I found affirmation that I did indeed find something special.

Do you see the tiny ice heart perched at the tip of the swirl?  If you are reading this post on your phone this might be one photo worth viewing on your computer screen.

I would love to know if you can see the ice heart!

Twig Joy.

Listening to this song non-stop!

It’s providing work relief while chipping away at January deadlines.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell
If there’s a life behind a song.

Are we falling or flying,
Are we living or dying
Cause my friend this too shall pass
So play every show like it’s your last

GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS

Falling or Flying

Tagged: sacred in the ordinary, Maslow, twig, GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS, Falling or Flying, precious twig