the journey home

8.20.2016

"And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our feet, and learn to be at home." --Wendell Berry

Friends of mine have a beautiful farm. The best part of the farm is their contemplative pathway--a beautiful wooded path with unexpected delights like the boulders spanning the creek (below), a large stone fireplace, a fire pit, and quotes from Wendell Berry, an environmentalist and brilliant wordsmith. The quote above is a favorite of mine (NOT on the path!). It feels very representative of my life right now...a life in which some days I want to run, to journey miles, to escape (either to or from something, I'm not sure!). Yet as I make this both arduous and humbling journey, I know that wherever I go, I take home with me in my heart and my mind, and I must learn to welcome and be at peace with that, rather than run from it or to something else.