My Safe Place

Think of a place where you feel safe.  Is it somewhere from your childhood or a more recent memory?  For me, I feel whole and safe when surrounded by trees or water. I think it is an almost primal instinct.  We share so much with nature and it nourishes every living thing.  Every organism benefits from the reciprocal nature of life.

At Tai Chi the other day we were instructed to think of a safe place that brought peace.  Of course my mind automatically went to my grandma’s house on the lake.  She had a long dirt driveway where the excitement would build as we drove toward the lake.  The path was lush with trees, brush and speckled with various wild berry bushes.  Walking the path to the mailbox was an enchanting time of mystery in the woods.  You could almost imagine fairies dancing amongst the lush green. When the season was right, berry picking was always on the agenda, although I don’t believe any escaped our mouths!

What takes me back to the lake memories is that loamy smell of water.  An earthy smell that I catch a whiff of on my kayak or hiking around a lake or pond. I usually find it amongst the lily pads and water lilies.  The pungent aroma that comes from a flower bursting through the mud.

My sisters and I spent many hours in the lake swimming, traversing the lake in the rowboat or simple sitting under a tree in the yard.  These moments created lifelong memories.  My grandpa built the little crooked house in the 30’s. The yard was graced with apple trees, vegetable gardens, and my grandma prided herself on the flower bed of roses and hydrangeas.  She was always baking some wonderful smelling sweets for us to enjoy.

Those times held magic as a safe place away from any unpleasant realities of childhood. This was a respite from school and social pressure.  You see, my family moved towns as I was entering fifth grade.  I had also just started wearing glasses with my oh so stylish horn-rimmed frames.   To say I was a little insecure is an understatement. 

We didn’t have a lot of money growing up with six of us living in a two-bedroom home.  It really never bothered me until I overheard some “not so nice” friends comment about it.  Girls can be so cruel. I never again accepted food from anyone at school (except with my closest friends.) That comment stings to this day, but experiencing that uncomfortable feeling helped me develop a heightened sense of empathy.  I always try to be friendly; nice to the newcomer or outsiders, sharing without judgement. Empathy has really shaped my life; my everyday interactions, school, work and now with my volunteer work. Kindness and empathy should never be underestimated.

A beautiful example of kindness comes from nature.  The trees sharing their nourishment with other plants and creatures.  No selfishness or hoarding, but openness sharing through the various seasons. Trees give space to others to reach the light, receive nourishment and support one another through the gossamer threads of the mycelium network. And we can’t forget the nurse tree who gives of herself in decay to provide sustenance to so many.  I end with a picture/quote that spoke to me recently.  I hope that my unravelings provide an offering of wholeness to you; that you find in nature a safe space in the depths of your being.