Inspiration that always progresses
A view in South Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson)
When I step out of the house for the first time each morning, I often look up to the sky. What is it presenting today — a sky-scape that’s gray, or brilliant blue? Was the morning forecast correct? These questions are answered in a heartbeat, but that information really doesn’t predict our day. It doesn’t even predict much about nature, which thrives in navigating the unexpected and presenting us with sudden moments of beauty. Nature is that book with an unpredictable next chapter.
I turned to such a page this afternoon, observing a lonely crabapple tree near my house. It was one of the last trees on the property to lose all its leaves. This may appear to be a disadvantage, when it comes to beautiful outdoor views. I myself was close to looking away. But then, I saw the larger picture: The pelting rains this afternoon had left hundreds of tiny water droplets on the branches, up and down the tree, as if each one was carefully placed there. What little light remained in the day was captured in each tiny droplet, hanging neatly from the bark. Together, they made up a whole network of rows of water droplets, lining the underside of each branch. Below the great sky, even on such a gray afternoon, this is really what the natural world was presenting: beauty not seen by many, but there, available for instant inspiration.
What beauty I would have missed, if I had simply assumed I had seen all there was to see. I love what can be gained from a few moments of humble observation. If we take that time, and don’t take our surroundings for granted, we can learn something new each day. And there is always one more insight to be gained, one more lesson to know, one more kernel of wisdom to absorb. These small inspirations of nature serve to bring us a little bit more out of ourselves, and make us think more of the greater world beyond our own walls. The more we embrace such insights, the more we solidify our connections with that world and our fellow brothers and sisters that share it.
Even on those gray days and amid difficulties, those moments of learning show us we can cultivate progress together, and see it manifested. Nothing can keep us from those moments. They are there for each of us, and abundantly so. We just have to remain open to them, regardless of how that morning sky may look.
— Gareth Henderson
