Returning to Presence

The Dawn Chorus—An Invitation to Reconnect

Recently, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, sad, distracted—just out of sync, out of sorts.

It’s as if my soul can’t take any more shock. The shock of friends’ posts, the way good, well-meaning people are turning on each other. The constant negativity, the way people cling to sides as if that will fix everything. But in truth, there is no ‘side.’ We are all in this together.

At times, it feels as if we’ve forgotten we are deeply interwoven with each other, as well as the natural world. Sometimes it feels like the world is unraveling—but what is the ‘real world’?

These were the thoughts that swirled around in my mind as I went to sleep last night.

I woke up feeling like my life depended on remembering who I was and why I work as an environmental artist. I needed to reconnect with nature, to unplug from the crazy-making.

I thought about the dawn chorus—how the birds welcome the new day, singing songs of beauty. I, too, need to awaken to my own songs of beauty. To be present—fully present—with no distractions.

As I stood outside welcoming the day, I thought of you and recorded just a few moments of this morning’s songs—roosters, geese, birds, rain, and wind—to share with you.

May these songs also remind you of who you are and what is truly real.

Nature is outside your door, your window—waiting to welcome you. Go and say hello!