nature

Enchantment in the Ritual of Growth

~ Natal Galvan
Daily writing prompt
Describe one habit that brings you joy.
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Finding joy in life often comes from the simplest of rituals; for me, it is the act of nurturing my plants. With each passing year, I find myself dedicating more time to this practice—not because my collection has grown, but because I’ve discovered a profound bond in the process. It’s a bond that breathes vitality into my days.

To me, nature is nothing short of real-life enchantment. When we pause to contemplate the complexities of life, the elaborate dance required to execute even the most “basic” actions, we realize it transcends mere science. Existence is a tapestry of being and becoming. Life burgeons, stretches, and transforms right before our eyes—yet we often overlook the spectacle.

Tending to my plants anchors me in the now. It’s a meditative state where, for a fleeting moment, my personal tribulations fade into the background, and all that remains is the verdant oasis I’m cultivating. In this sanctuary, amidst the foliage and blooms, I find a serene assurance that, in this very instant, everything is as it should be—perfectly okay, perfectly magical.

A Daily Journey: Self Sustainability

~ Natal Galvan
Daily writing prompt
Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
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Every day, I valiantly attempt to embrace the eco-warrior lifestyle, but let’s be real – sometimes it feels like I’m just hanging onto the green wagon with my pinky finger. My daily rituals? Oh, they’re a hoot! I meditate, juggle crystals, and waft sage smoke around like a wizard gone wild. These practices are supposed to anchor me to the earth, but lately, life’s been playing keep-away with my zen.

Now, when the blues sneak up on me, I’ve found my secret escape: nature. It’s like hitting the refresh button on my soul’s browser. A stroll along the beach or a jaunt through the woods, and I’m one with the universe again. It’s as if Mother Nature herself gives me a cosmic high-five, and suddenly, I’m ready to tackle the world – or at least my laundry pile.

But let’s not romanticize it too much. Nature has its own version of comedy. Ever tried to maintain inner peace while being the main course at a mosquito banquet? Yeah, not so serene. And so on days when my energy tank is running on fumes, you’ll simply find me sprawled on the couch, remote in hand, binge-watching my way to enlightenment. The only pilgrimage I’m making is to the fridge and back. But hey, sometimes a good veg-out is just the ticket to finding my center – or at least the center of the couch.

So, there you have it, my green-hearted friends. Sustainable living? I’m trying, one laugh (and one mosquito bite) at a time.

The Plight of the Turtle and the Irony of Human Haste

~ Natal Galvan

In the grand theater of life’s absurdities, there’s a darkly comedic act that plays out on our roads each year. It’s turtle season, and these shelled pedestrians are making their perilous pilgrimage from Point A to Point B. Yet, as they brave the asphalt gauntlet, humanity’s metal chariots rarely yield.

Two mornings ago, I became an unwitting actor in this tragicomedy. There I was, driving to work, when the pickup ahead performed a vehicular pirouette to avoid a tiny turtle. The driver’s near-death dance with destiny was impressive, but not enough to inspire a stop. No, that task fell to me.

I pulled over, my heart a mix of altruism and annoyance. The turtle, a bewildered traveler, had reversed course, perhaps realizing the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the road. As I cradled the creature, I pondered its thoughts. Was I a predator? A giant set to dine on turtle soup? Or just another incomprehensible giant?

Traffic continued to flow like a river around a pebble – me, the pebble, and the turtle, an afterthought. I ferried my new friend to safety, receiving what I fancied as a grateful glance. It’s funny how two minutes of halted human hustle can feel like an eternity.

This episode is a microcosm of our collective sprint through life. We dash and dart, often without purpose, racing towards the next red light, the next checkout line, the next complaint. We’re so fixated on the finish line that we trample over life’s little wonders – and sometimes, over each other.

It’s a peculiar paradox: in our rush to live, we forget to savor life. We overlook the small acts of kindness that could make our journeys meaningful. We ignore the turtles of the world, both literal and metaphorical, in our blind pursuit of… what, exactly?

Perhaps it’s time to slow down, to recognize that not all obstacles are impediments but invitations to pause, reflect, and maybe – just maybe – help a turtle cross the road. Because if we can’t stop for a creature so small, what hope do we have of stopping for each other?

So, here’s to the turtles and the lessons they carry on their backs: slow and steady might not win the race, but it sure makes the journey more humane. And who knows? In the end, we might just thank them for reminding us to take a breath, look around, and appreciate the world we’re all just passing through.

My Walk Remembered

~ Natal Galvan

After a much needed “me” morning that included reading tarot, journaling, and a mini meditation session, I decided that I wanted to extend my personal time. I showered, dressed, pack a small backpack, and off I went to interact with the Universe. From the moment I stepped onto the sidewalk I knew I had made the right decision. Instead of walking on the main roads towards the boardwalk, I opted to cut through the backstreets, making my way through neighborhoods I never really drive through. With headphones in, random songs setting the soundtrack to my day, I gazed at little quaint houses, cottage-style homes I never knew existed. Meanwhile on the very same street, huge mansions were in the process of being built. At times the home being so big it casted dark shadows over humble homes. I enjoyed looking at these different houses, taking in their outdoor decor, and imagining the array of personalities that lived within those walls.

The weather was grey with a slight chill and a lazy breeze. It was early afternoon, so it wasn’t very busy. There was a sprinkle of people walking their dogs, but my first interaction was with a woman, blocks deep into my walk. She was alone and walked with a purpose. I saw her from a few houses away. From a distance she seemed young and athletic, her curly hair bounced with every determined step. She walked on the same sidewalk as I did, and as she got closer, I noticed she was an older woman, who looked pretty darn good for her age. Those bouncy curls were locks of whitish grey, slight lines decorated the sides of her eyes and smile. Her smile was the best. As we passed each other, in a gesture of greeting one another, we smiled. Her smile was big and bright, and it was yet another sign that I was on my proper path. Her smile made me feel so good that I too put a bit of a pep in my step, bouncing to the beat that played in my ears.

Once I got to the boardwalk, it was as if I was the only person in the world. It was completely empty of other people for miles that I could see. The waves crashed repeatedly to my right, and to my left were high rise condos and multimillion-dollar homes. No matter which way I looked there was something to observe. It’s obvious that beachfront properties are worth a pretty penny and why, but as I look at these homes, most of them empty, some to be sold while others have been left completely abandoned, it looked to me as though being wealthy isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. I compare the humble homes from the earlier neighborhood to these cold and empty mansions, and to me, there is no comparison. I much prefer a humble abode to a lifeless castle.

Right before the residential area turns into commercial properties, there’s a break, and within this area lies a playground. This is where I found my first sight of humans since stepping foot onto the boardwalk. There were 3 young adults, 2 guys and 1 girl, and then 2 kids, 1 boy, and 1 girl. As I slowly shortened the distance between us I noticed that the 2 girls were playing on the jungle gym, while the boys played frisbee. Watching them all play brought love to my heart. It was a beautiful moment to capture, people laughing and enjoying, fully, their present moment. On one of their tosses, the frisbee lands close to where I walked. One of the men runs over and to me, he looked like the sun. We made eye contact and his crisp blue eyes, pierced me like an ocean wave crashing into me. His golden dreads danced around his face like warm rays of sunshine. His smile said to me, “Hello there! Nice to see ya! Have a great day now!” I continued my walk feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside.

I felt like I was in complete alignment with everything around me. Even the animals were feeling my vibe. Squirrels wouldn’t run away but instead stood in their place observing me. Birds did not fly away, instead, they sat there because deep down inside their intuition said to them, “She’s here to enjoy her day just like you.”

It wasn’t all great. The moment I went from one town into the city, the difference was immediate. The upkeep and cleanliness of the boardwalk, its benches, plants, retail shops, etc declined tremendously. More people were walking around, but these people weren’t as warm and welcoming, more pained, stressed, and sad. This is a reminder that life is balanced and where there is beauty, within steps, there is also an ugly truth.

In the end, I walked a total of 8 miles. I stopped for a well-earned beer and wrote about it all. The extended “me” time was a personal success and made me realize how much I love connecting and playing with the world. I realized how long it had been since I had, and how I wouldn’t let that happen again. Just as the air I breath, the food I ingest, the moments of meditation I escape into…. connecting with the Universe is equally a need for me.