I don’t know about you but I am constantly learning new things about myself.
Last week I was doing a guided meditation designed to help with stress and obstacles. The meditation was to picture yourself walking along a path when suddenly you come upon a wall. The wall can be made of any type of material you wish and the goal of the meditation is to take down the wall and dispose of the debris.
I’m a visual thinker and as I’m picturing this in my mind, I realize my path is walking through the woods.
I was reminded of that guided meditation after we set out for our walk the other day. I let the dogs choose the route and most days when they set out, Sampson already has a path in mind. Many times he’s perfectly content to walk the neighborhood but some days he sets off up the hill and there is such determination in his step, I know he’s heading for the woods.
And as I watched Sampson sniffing and running with unfettered joy through his beloved woods I realized something.
It’s Always the Woods.
For Sampson, it’s the woods, it’s always the woods, just like me. I’m not sure if it’s because he loves the woods as much as I do, (although when he was a young pup (before Delilah) we hiked a different trail almost every weekend) or it’s because he does get to spend some time off leash, but just watching him explore the woods makes my heart happy.
I mean, how can you look at something THIS beautiful and not love it?
To me it looks magical.
The woods from our field.
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Looks so peaceful!!
Beautiful woods. I’m more of a neighborhood/park walker, but there always hope….
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Looks lovely…. a Winter Wonderland indeed. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
Really lovely. My experience is less poetic. On leash walks all three of my dogs want to head straight to the barn and corrals… horse “apples,” you know…
We all love the woods too. I think there is something about it being peaceful and for us dogs, the smells are always so interesting.
I find watching my two completely happy and in the moment always helps all my stresses melt away!!
I agree, I love the woods. The beauty, the quite, what’s not to like.
So beautiful. It looks freeeeezin
Lily & Edward
I am reminded of–
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Beautiful photos =)
I am like you Jodi–the woods make me so happy. A hike away from everything always restores me–not to mention the dogs.
Magically and mysterious–your woods are quite pawesome!
I’m with Sampson, I’ll take the woods every time!
I love the woods year round, but there is something so special about them in the winter, especially right after a fresh snow. They are just so peaceful.
Such a lovely walk, I hate the cold but when I see beautiful pictures like that I am glad for a minute I live where I live to see this type of beauty.
How beautiful. I love when the trees are covered in snow. There is something magical about it.
It’s beautiful, Jodi! I have loved the mountains over the beach since I was about 9 years old. My feet were always happiest when running/jumping/walking/playing in the woods, making the leaves and twigs crunch and crack under them. I wish we lived closer to our favorite park so I could just walk to it with the dogs. It’s not the mountains, but it would suffice.
So how’s the mediation class going?
Of course, if I could, I would move up to the mountains today but at least I can dream. 🙂
I’m mostly drawn to water. But any time we spend in a natural setting is a gift.
And to think there are people who go weeks or months at a time without taking a walk in a lovely setting. Poor suckers.
Magical, mystical, magnetic – I’m drawn! That must be almost like meditating, walking through those woods. Sampson’s one smart boy!
Oh I love the woods so much as well. I’m so lucky to have a huge forest backing up to our yard so Laika and I can go out on our wooded adventures everyday. Well when I say everyday we do skip out during hunting season because she sort of looks like a deer.. There is something so relaxing about them. It doesn’t matter where – If I’m in a forest I’m content. It’s always better having a happy companion (or two) by your side that enjoy it just as much.