Over the next few weeks, I will be featuring those folks who are dreamers. And doers.
You know who you are…
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
“Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.”
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
All three are quotes by writer, Henry David Thoreau.
I was introduced to Thoreau in my 10th grade English class in Petoskey High School. We had a very nice teacher, who embraced Thoreau wildly that year. Little did I know it was because she was making a decision to leave her husband, and go live a simple life in the woods with her lover, another teacher. Yes, we learned a lot that year.
As long as I can remember, I have been tied to nature. Let me share a piece of my writing I came across the other day that outlines that fact. What is interesting isn’t so much the writing itself, but the fact that I wrote it on April 29th, 1969 when I was 15 years old.
There’s times in my life when I want to withdraw into silent seclusion from everything. I think everyone witnesses this feeling at least once in their life.
A couple nights ago, right in the middle of a lot of work and hurrying, I took a walk back to my favorite clearing on the edge of the woods. I just sat there, watching the huge fiery red ball float down behind the city that lay stretched out in front of me. Dog sitting next to me, we strained our eyes and ears for any sign of wildlife in the dusk of the night. I just sat there, fully contented with the surroundings that eased the worries from my mind. And, I thought how nice it would be to live like this. It would suit me for it’s what I want. Just think…you wouldn’t have to associate with people that hurt you and vice versa. You wouldn’t have the confusion and hurrying and you wouldn’t have to bear the many problems of our busy world. But where would I be without my parents, family, friends. I need them too.
With that thought in mind, I started my long walk back home through the dark fields. And I thought how lucky I am to have this friend – Nature. She really understands me and is always there to listen. I hope my children have this opportunity.
So much has changed in 40 years. Then again, so much has stayed the same.
See you tomorrow ~ we’ll start our journey of livin’ the dream. Come along. You may be inspired.
Woodswoman
Interesting…..That exact quote from Thoreau is taped inside of my kitchen closet, no lie since this cabin got built. That little piece of paper traveled with me from my last house of four years on my computor and before that had been downstate with me while I worked for my brother for a year and a half. It came to me years before I divorced and has always kept that little burning desire alive in my to live the life I wanted. It helps remind me, as I seem to need that once in a while to continue on.
Comment by Ellen — January 1, 2009 @ 2:38 am
I think there are times we do need reminders, just as we need good friends. This life is tough, but so rewarding.
Happy New Year AC Ellen. Here’s to another year of being caretakers of the animals. They bring us such joy.
Comment by Sherry ~ Woodswoman — January 1, 2009 @ 4:39 am