35 Comments

I went for a walk this afternoon; lots blooming here in NorCal, allergies in revolt as I type…

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That’s one reason I am happy to be back in NYC. I have spring allergies everywhere else, NJ, NC, PA - at home, I’m fortunate I am unaffected. Passing the tissues and a hug your way.

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I have them everywhere too, and thanks for the tissues and hug!

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Wow, Rachel!! It's my honour, my beautiful sister, to have inspired you. What gorgeous pics and story of the flower show!!

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Thank you! Glad you enjoyed. Your writing is mandatory reading. So happy to share it with my corner of the internet.

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Wow!! That's quite the compliment, sister. Thank you again....and have a most beautiful day! :)

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I like going on daily walks! We live on roughly an acre so I call it my daily surveying the land walk lol gotta examine what’s growing and if critters are digging holes in the yard.

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Walks on your own grounds sound delightful. Wow, what a life. I shared with my husband this weekend I can’t wait to look out our kitchen window out at our acreage and shaggy banged highland cows.

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I have a daily evening walk my partner and I venture on, we walk around this massive lake at dusk. Usually we’re quiet, in our thoughts, separate but accompanied, something really special about those walks. Almost religious

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Oh definitely! That sounds like a great way to wind down for the evening. Baring witness to the close of the day IS spiritual. It’s a great way to honor what’s passed and what’s to come. I’m happy you have someone to share that with. What a delight. Thanks for sharing.

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Love how your newsletter is growing and shaping up. I feel like every year there feels like a big challenge I need to get through. I'm reminded when faced with an obstacle to look at my past to remember my track record with impediments.

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Ohhhh that’s so true. While we’re in it we can’t see the forest for the trees but looking back the lessons all laid out. Cheers to looking back but not staying there.

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Beautiful photos!

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Thank you 😊 I’ll pass the compliment along to my mom as well. I gave her hell for her angles but she did alright to get the one of me lol

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🧡🧡 had a similar walk this morning. It is always remarkable to me what it provides.

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So much clarity. So much presence. So much peace. Those are my top three. Woodland creatures are a bonus too. What was your fav part of the walk?

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I turned off my music and just listened to my breath which sounded like music. 🧡 it was also the most blissful temp to me. A little brisk but sun radiating. ☀️

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That’s beautiful. Sounds like we had similar experiences temp wise. Winters last kiss

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I love that. Communal walk a couple thousand

miles apart.

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First of all, thank you for your writing and the poetry in your words. I look forward to reading your post, secondly, I feel like I have been so wrapped up in other parts of my brain, I haven't had a moment to truly acknowledge the changing of seasons and the physicality of that. I appreciate this post so much because more than anything it makes me want to stop and be, stop and listen, stop and feel.

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Thanks for reading, Stanley. Your words are so kind and generous. They brought an immediate smile to my face 🙂. And yes, the seasons demand an audience. My husband often tells me to slow down - he called me Sonic last night 🫠 - but when I’m outside it’s SOOOOO much easier to be present.

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"Some found freedom in the motion and spiraled away, adorning the ground below with nature’s confetti." Reminds me of my favorite spring poem: https://poets.org/poem/instructions-not-giving

Do you know it?

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I don’t but now I can’t forget it. Thank you for sharing. It is a true love letter to spring.

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I have a day off today and I'm going to an area of London I haven't spent much time in - I've already earmarked a park I want to visit and I'll keep your lovely thoughts in mind. I've also noticed how I've been more inclined to move with the seasons this year. April has felt like the new year and it feels just right. The flower show also looks beautiful, I wish I could be in NYC to see it!

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And thank you for the shout out too :)

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I hope you have so much fun. I have plans to be a tourist in my city too this year. It’s nice to welcome the new with the familiar. & you’re very welcome - thank you for writing such a lovely piece.

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Such a beautiful read and photos! I look forward to your weekly musings. I really enjoy going for walks with my cousins and admiring new buds.

I feel like I've grown so much over the last few months and now I'm ready to show my flowers.

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I’m so glad you enjoyed Anella 😊. There’s so many new buds 🥹 so many things coming into their own. It sounds like you are too. I’m rooting for you, be well.

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Yes!

Thank you. I'm rooting for you, too. Best wishes.

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Rachel, you write such beautiful sentences! As just one example of many: “I also wanted to behold winter’s last grip on the breeze and relish in the sun’s mighty rays.” Thank you for this inspired reflection on spring and what it means to be in bloom.

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Thanks you so much for sharing Jacob! It means a lot 🥲

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Morning pages!! So you must’ve read The Artists Way!? I absolutely love botanical gardens. They are my happy place of wonder and joy. My partner comes alive in those places too. I love watching that grown man stop and awe over nature. I imagine the one in NY is amazing! Happy spring ♥️

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Thanks for reading, Zoe. I haven’t read the Artist Way yet, it’s on my to-read list, but I try to journal every morning. Nature deserves an audience, it’s nice you and your partner get to share time together in that way. Happy spring to you too!

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Blossoming through a challenging period has been pretty consistent, although I don't notice the flowering until the period has eased. Sometimes it comes almost soon after, and other times growth is miniscule and months after, as is the nature of it I suppose. 🌻

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Athira, thanks for sharing! What you shared is relatable. The growth I experience in a challenging season becomes really evident once I master the obstacle and I can see my progress. Like you said sometimes it’s quick, sometimes it is slow.

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