Silence and solitude. We all seek out these invaluable gifts that life offers us. Though, the more I find myself in the presence of silence and solitude, I realize that silence doesn't have to be the absence of sound, and solitude doesn't have to mean being alone. Silence and solitude, together, serve to bring us back to the ground. They carry us away from the negative distractions that have diluted our society, and take us to a place that shows us who we are and where we belong.

            Silence and solitude is found in those moments when we discover ourselves listening to the voice of the Earth and recognize that we are a part of the magic of Nature.

This morning, a solitary seal and a few waterfowl helped to reiterate this idea of learning to listen to Nature speak. If we want to understand our place in this vast world, and develop a real sense of harmony with ourselves and each other, I believe we first must look to Nature and remind ourselves that we are not separate from it, but a part of its magic.

Spring begins March 20th! As the Sun gradually migrates back toward the northern hemisphere, the trees are showing signs of a season in transition, and the local birds are voicing their approval. I found this old bird feeder on the back porch of the ACT office. This feeder has a character of its own. With moss collecting on the roof, it resembles something that one would stumble upon in an old growth forest. All winter I’ve contemplated putting a little life back into it and this weekend seemed an appropriate time to get crafty. I refurbished this well weathered bird house to show gratitude toward our feathered friends. As we make it through these last few weeks of a winter that seems to want to hang on, we want to encourage everyone to take advantage of the increasing daylight hours and get outside. Start some hands on outdoor projects. Get those kayaks out of storage and go for a paddle. Go explore the many hidden paths this area has to offer. Reminding everyone to keep their minds busy and in tune with Nature. It’s as simple as a bird house.