I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief… For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

– Wendell Berry –

In this season of love, how do we surround ourselves with the peace that most of us desire?  How do we take a break from the onslaught of media, sad news & pain that is in the world?  These past few days I have been enjoying a news fast, to allow myself to experience the joy of the holidays and time with friends and family  and with four days off from work have been out for a walk in nature every day.  In this cold and dark time of year it always surprises me at the depth of joy that I can feel by simply walking though a ray of sunlight or seeing the soft winter light shine just so on the bark of a tree, the walls of my home or on my dog’s ginger-colored fur.  I appreciate having a break from the hectic day to day pace to pause and simply just savor a bit of nature’s beauty and for a moment to feel free.