Broaden the Size of Your Back Porch – Back Porch Tales Part 1 of 7

My early girlhood was spent wandering the woods, never facing any greater danger than a bout with poison ivy. The thought of being afraid never once entered my mind until the name Betty Jean Necessary was splashed across the news of my small town.

“Depart not from the path which fate has you assigned.”
- Chinese Fortune Cookie

Introduction:

Long ago events that happen when we are children can act as triggers or catalysts to us our whole life through. When I was eleven, a girl of my own age, Betty Jean Necessary, was tragically killed by a neighbor man. Even though we did not share the same woods, school, or neighbors, I was haunted by what had happened. Since Betty was killed while taking a short-cut through the woods, my formerly fearless jaunts exploring woods and fields now felt fraught with impending danger. I no longer went as often or stayed as long. My heart beat extra hard at every unexplained sound and twig-snap. Sadly, I allowed myself to become more and more housebound as the years moved forward.

In 1997, I moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. For two years, I relished how safe I felt sitting on the back porch of my townhouse apartment. Then in 1999, I finally felt ready to break the bonds of fear and to broaden the size of my back porch. Beginning on April 1, 1999, I drove to various parks and places of interest. Venturing alone into woods and parks, I let my instincts and inner wisdom guide me as to which paths would be best for me to follow. Sauntering slowly, I let my senses savor the beautiful bounty of nature.

As I walked and meditated and savored my growing sense of safety and well-being, it felt as if each aspect of nature had a wonderful story to tell. I focused my attention and strived to actively listen. This is what I heard:

April 8, 1999 – Variegated Green & White Plant
Front Garden of my Duplex Townhouse Apartment, Knoxville, Tennessee
Our name, given to us by mankind, is unimportant in the overall scheme of things. So no need to apologize for not being able to remember the name of the plants you planted over a year ago. If you find us beautiful and we bring you pleasure, that is enough.

You pass us by nearly every day as you enter and leave your apartment. Sometimes you give us notice and sometimes your eyes see not. Lately, we observe that your eyes take the time to drink in our beauty. That makes us flourish even stronger than before. Your sense of joy and enjoyment gives us energy and strength. Thoughts are very powerful entities. It is important to safeguard the thoughts you choose to entertain. Think good, sustaining thoughts, and you and we will live well and happily. Go in peace!

April 8, 1999 – Purple Flowers
Front Garden Of My Duplex Townhouse Apartment, Knoxville, Tennessee

You seek to hear the wisdom we would impart. We are many and yet we are one. We come from the one Mind that is God. We come from the one Thought that thought the world. We come in the spring to herald the return of new hopes and old dreams. We are prolific. We spread and grow and help to beautify your garden and your yard.

We applaud your forays into the world as you work to let go of your old fears that no longer serve you. Honest enjoyment and rejoicing in the beauty and bounty of Mother Earth will serve you far better. Savor the experience of broadening the size of your back porch; but then remember, it is time to come home to get re-centered and re-grounded once again. Your little corner of East Tennessee has need of your light. Grow and prosper. We wish you well!

April 11, 1999 – Ornamental Cherry Tree, Knoxville Zoo in Knoxville, Tennessee

What we are called by mankind is unimportant to the overall scheme of things. What is important is that we have much to teach that you can learn. We are about renewal and new life. In the spring, we bud, we bloom, bring beauty and joy and hope to the world, we wilt, we fall off the tree, and litter the ground with pink petals. We do not seek to hang on to the way we bloomed the previous year. We do not concern ourselves with how we will look in future years. We are content to concentrate on only the present moment. Be actively present in each one of your moments. Be at peace! Accept the Universe in all its wonder. Go in peace!

April 11, 1999 – The Only Pure Asian Lion in the USA
Range: India in the Gir Forest, Knoxville Zoo in Knoxville, Tennessee

I am a wild animal, yet I am not free. Sure, all my needs are tended to, yet I am not free. I am put in this cage with limited places to roam. I am fettered. I am not free. Don’t let yourself be put in a cage. Don’t allow others to limit your power to roam where you please, choose what you eat, or sleep. Maintain your free spirit as long as you can. Once you have been in a cage, whether one of luxury or rust, why would you ever want to place yourself back in a cage, once free? Be free. Guard your freedom zealously. That is all I wish to say. Go in peace!

April 11, 1999 – Elephant, Knoxville Zoo in Knoxville, Tennessee

The greatest lesson I know, my greatest wisdom, is to hold in my memory all of life’s experiences, good and bad, and learn from them all. It’s alright to forgive, but never, never forget. Otherwise, you are doomed to live the same experience again and again. Patience and forbearing are all important qualities. Enjoy what comforts that you can afford or are provided to you. Make the most of all other moments. Feel gratitude for the good times and the lessons learned from the seemingly bad times. It is all really in the appearance of the thing. Close-up and at-the-moment, an experience or action may appear to be totally negative. From a distance and with the passage of time, the rhyme and reason for the experience will spring to mind. Everything has a purpose and there are no coincidences. Everything works together for good for the ones who love God. That is my greatest lesson learned, my greatest wisdom. I was happy to share this with you. Go in peace!

If the scenes we view in nature could talk, what would they say? This is Part 1 of a 7-part series. View the slideshow of the pictures described above: Back Porch Tales Slideshow

Resources:

Chinese Fortune Cookie

Inspired by Michael J. Road’s book titled Talking with Nature: Sharing the Energies and Spirit of Trees, Plants, Birds, and Earth