The Light Between the Trees

The Seasons Within: A Journey to Stillness - Chapter 12

(Theme: Gratitude, Presence, and Finding Beauty in the Everyday)

Leila woke to golden light spilling through the cabin window.

It was the first truly warm morning she had felt since arriving.

The air was different—lighter, gentler. The scent of damp earth and pine drifted through the open window, carrying with it a quiet invitation: Come outside. Be here. Be now.

She stretched slowly, savoring the feeling of warmth on her skin.

For the first time in a long while, she wasn’t rushing to figure things out.

She was simply here.

And maybe, that was enough.

The Gift of Morning

With a cup of tea in hand, she stepped onto the porch.

Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting shifting patterns across the ground. Birds flitted between the trees, their songs blending with the soft rustling of leaves.

She had walked this forest before, but today, it felt new.

Or maybe, she was new.

She ran her fingers along the wooden railing, feeling its smooth surface, its worn edges. Everything she touched felt more real—as if, for the first time, she was truly noticing the world around her.

Had it always been this beautiful?

Or had she just been too busy to see it?

A Walk in Gratitude

Leila followed the familiar path into the woods, her steps unhurried.

Each detail stood out with striking clarity—the deep green of the moss, the way sunlight danced on the surface of a small stream, the sound of her own breath mingling with the rhythm of the forest.

She placed a hand on her heart and whispered, Thank you.

For the stillness.
For the lessons.
For the moments of quiet that had shown her who she was beneath all the noise.

Gratitude wasn’t about grand gestures or perfect words.

It was in these small moments, in the space between the rush of life.

And in realizing that she didn’t have to chase happiness.

She just had to notice it.

A Letter to the Present Moment

Back at the cabin, she opened her journal and wrote:

"Dear Today,
I see you. I am here with you. Thank you for reminding me that life isn’t just about the big moments, but the small ones—the way the light moves, the way the trees stand steady, the way I feel when I finally let myself just be.
I don’t want to miss this anymore. I want to be here. Fully. Completely.
Thank you for waiting for me to notice you.
With love,
Leila"

She closed the journal and placed a hand over its cover, as if sealing the promise.

She would carry this lesson with her, even when she left the mountain.

Because presence wasn’t something you found in one place.

It was something you carried with you everywhere.

Mindfulness Practice: A Gratitude Walk

Tonight, take a moment to step outside, wherever you are.

  • Walk slowly. Notice each step, the way your body moves.
  • Look around you as if you are seeing the world for the first time.
  • Find three small things to be grateful for—the color of the sky, the feel of the air, the sound of life around you.
  • Place a hand on your heart and whisper, Thank you.

Gratitude doesn’t have to be grand.

Sometimes, it’s just in the noticing.

Leila sat on the porch as the sun began to set, golden light filtering through the trees.

She didn’t need to search for happiness anymore.

It had been here all along.

Waiting for her to slow down and see it.

Location: Sweden

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Calling

Image
The Lynx´s Path - Chapter 1 December 2024 arrived with a stillness that felt different to him. Born under the Sun of Aquarius, the Moon of Pisces, and the Rising fire of Sagittarius, he had always lived with a sensitivity to the subtle vibrations of the universe. But now, as the year turned toward its end, those vibrations became a quiet roar. He had always known his spiritual guide, the female lynx, as a watchful presence in his life—a creature of sharp vision and profound silence. In the waning days of December, her presence grew stronger. On the morning of the winter solstice, as the year began its slow exhale, he dreamt of her clearly for the first time in years. In the dream, the lynx stood atop a rocky outcrop, her golden eyes fixed on him. Around her, the stars of the night sky spun, their patterns forming images he knew but could not name. The wheel of the year turned in her eyes, and when she finally blinked, her voice entered his mind—not as words but as a knowing. “You must ...
Read more

The Gateway

Image
The Lynx´s Path - Chapter 2 The first dawn of 2025 broke quietly. The man sat cross-legged on a meditation mat by his window, the pale sunlight filtering through frost-covered glass. In his hands, he held a small journal—a new book for a new year. He wrote: “Day 1: The journey begins. I walk through the gateway of the year, uncertain but open.” His Rising Sagittarius urged him to step boldly into the unknown, but his Moon Pisces whispered of the need for compassion—for himself and the journey. He lit a candle, its flame steady in the quiet room, and offered a silent prayer to the elements. Earth for grounding. Air for clarity. Fire for transformation. Water for intuition. As the day unfolded, he took his first intentional step: a mindful walk in the woods near his home. The air was sharp with winter’s bite, but the trees stood tall and serene, their bare branches weaving patterns against the pale sky. It was here he felt her—the lynx. Though unseen, her presence was palpable, guiding h...
Read more

Living the Wheel of the Year

Image
Celebrating the Wheel of the Year does not require elaborate rituals or deep knowledge of ancient traditions . It is about awareness, intention, and honoring the energies of the natural world . Here are some simple ways to connect with the Wheel throughout the year: Observe the land – Notice seasonal changes , from blooming flowers to shifting light. Set intentions – Align personal goals with the themes of each festival . Honor traditions – Light candles at Yule, bake bread at Lammas, or plant seeds at Ostara. Meditate and reflect – Journal about what each season teaches you . Gather in community – Celebrate with loved ones, whether through shared meals, storytelling, or outdoor rituals . A Yearlong Journey Through the Seasons As we walk this sacred cycle , we begin to see that nature’s wisdom is also our own . We grow, we rest, we release, and we are reborn—again and again . The Wheel of the Year teaches us that each phase of life is valuable, each transition sacred, and that w...
Read more