Gratitude challenge – Grateful for a walk in the woods

A few weeks ago I attended a chorale concert entitled ‘Come to the Woods’. The concert was conducted by Michael O’Neal and sung by his hand-picked ensemble group Kaleidoscope (side note – here’s the link to their site – if you get a chance, please see them).

The concert was full of songs that spoke of nature…so today’s gratitude challenge is an action – some time this week take a moment and go for a walk in the woods.

To inspire you I’ve included the lyrics from their opening piece, Come to the woods, which is based on writings from John Muir

Another glorious day, the air as delicious
To the lungs as nectar to the tongue

The day was full of sparkling sunshine
And at the same time enlivened with one of
The most bracing wind storms

The mountain winds bless the forests with love
They touch every tree, not one is forgotten

When the storm began to sound
I pushed out into the woods to enjoy it
I should climb one of the trees for a wider look

The sounds of the storm were glorious with
Wild exuberance of light and motion
Bending and swirling backward and forward, round and round
In this wild sea of pines

The storm-tones died away, and turning toward the east
I beheld the trees, hushed and tranquil
The setting sun filled them with amber light, and seemed to say
“Come to the woods, for here is rest.”