Broaden the Size of Your Back Porch – Back Porch Tales Part 6 of 7

Determined to break the bonds of fear and to broaden the size of my back porch, I explored nearby nature spots. As I walked and savored my growing sense of safety and well-being, it felt as if each aspect of nature had a wonderful story to tell.

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

Introduction:

When I was eleven, a girl of my own age, Betty Jean Necessary, was tragically murdered while walking in the woods. I was so traumatized that I no longer indulged in my favorite pastime of exploring without great fear. Years later, I decided it was time to broaden the size of my back porch. I drove to parks and other places of interests. Following my instincts and inner wisdom, not only did I feel safe, I found that each aspect of nature had a wonderful story to share. Please enjoy the sixth part in my series of Deb’s Back Porch Tales.

May 2, 1999
Red Poppy Field on Side of Highway in Knoxville, TN
Intersection of 640 E and 40 W

Liquid sunshine. An immediate uplift to road-weary drivers and passengers. Beautiful reminders of the beauty inherent in all of God’s kingdom. A sea of red poppies along nature’s highway. They call to your soul. What wisdom can they share with you? Beauty can be found in the most unexpected places if you are alert enough to catch sight of it as you pass. Slow down. There is no need to rush through life at a frantic pace. The destination is not your destination. The journey itself is your destination. You will see all kinds of signposts along your way such as a deer, a poppy field, etc. that reassure you that you are firmly aligned on your higher path. But the path has no end. Now and then, take a detour if the lessons you will learn appear to be worthwhile. Then turn back and re-align yourself with your true path again. What you learn, who you impact, acting as much as humanly possible as a window through which others can catch a glimpse of God, all those are part of what each should be striving for. That is the message we would like to share with you and all the motorists who pass by.

May 8, 1999 - Visitor Center
Panther Creek Park in Morristown, TN

As you enjoy the various beauty spots of nature, your goal is not only to learn of our wisdom but to enjoy your view of us from purely an aesthetic side. The people who planted us in the manner that they did are each an artist at heart. They take great pride that people should enjoy our variety of color, texture, and shape as one would enjoy a beautiful painting.

Look for the beauty in everything that you see. As you pass every other human being, strive not to see them as a label of some type such as man, woman, tall, short, fat, thin, black, white, ugly, beautiful or any other polarity or label you can think of. Instead, strive to see them as a child of God, full of integrity, wisdom, and beauty. Just so, also strive to see yourself in the same manner. Just as God loves each of His children equally, so should mankind strive to step away from labeling or judging. Your job is not to judge, but to simply be kind and accepting of fellow travelers along the path of life.

May 8, 1999
Norris C. Blackburn, Jr. Wildlife Observatory Walk
Panther Creek Park in Morristown, TN

Appearances are indeed deceiving. At first glance, this looks like a slim tree suspended above the ground, literally growing in midair. Upon closer inspection, you realize that this is a branch that has fallen from the tree above; it’s leafy foliage is caught among the branches of another tree, giving this magical appearance. How wonderful are the lessons nature can teach mankind just by observing the oddities and diversity in nature.

The lesson inherent in this is the following: nothing is as it appears on the surface. Everything holds deeper meaning than one might first suppose. Everyone has a story, a message, a sense of wisdom that one might not guess by the first impression gleaned from their immediate appearance. In order to explore this inner wisdom and inner beauty, one must be patient, one must be willing to dig for this hidden treasure by displaying an open mind and an open heart. Don’t just write off people as not being worthy of your time or attention after only one meeting. Even if one cannot picture a new acquaintance as a romantic partner or as a dear friend, one could still get an important message from them that could aid in one’s personal growth. In order to do this, you must be willing to dig in and ask the right questions. Your intuition will guide you in this process if you do not allow yourself to get lazy or complaisant. Everyone you have reason to spend time with holds a message of import for you. Suspend judgment. Be patient. Be open.

May 8, 1999
Norris C. Blackburn, Jr. Wildlife Observatory Walk
Panther Creek Park in Morristown, TN

Though the camera did not capture it, there were actually three deer that slowly ambled by and crossed your path. Three is a significant number. These three deer were very aware of your presence, and they made conscious eye contact with one to whom deer medicine is becoming increasingly important. They are spiritually connected with the white reindeer who led you off the mountain in Norway when you found yourself feeling lost and stranded. Deer of all type hold great medicine for you.

Deer medicine signifies being gentle. Be gentle with others. Be gentle with self. Deer medicine also involves being patient. Be patient with others. Be patient with self. Be patient with one’s personal rate of spiritual growth. Showing compassion and being compassionate is also of great importance to deer medicine. Don’t be so ready to pounce (verbally) when being verbally attacked. We are aware you have no temptation to make physical attacks of any type; however, sometimes, when you allow students to make you feel provoked, you can let your thoughts, if not your words run amuck into negativity. This is when you need to stand your ground and pour out and pour on the loving compassion that lets your students know you are not only on the side of good, but you are on their side of their greater good. Love, patience, and compassion are the three keys to deer medicine. Remember those three deer and recall this message and all will flow more smoothly in your job.

May 8, 1999 – Different Views of Cherokee Lake
Panther Creek Park in Morristown, TN

Water is the key to life. Venerate water and the source of all water. There are so many lessons to be learned from water. There are also so many blessings to be had from water. It quenches thirst. It reflects the beauty of the sky and other nature scenes close by such as mountains and trees. It shines. It glitters. It sustains life. It has different moods, different colors, different temperatures. It is buoyant and holds one afloat. It allows one to totally submerge oneself within it, silent as a dream. It is filled with life; although, it can appear tranquil or tempestuous and everything in between. It can be dangerous if one does not use wisdom around it; however, it means no harm. Many, many are the uses of water – too many to enumerate here. Mostly, it has the capacity to restoreth one’s soul and bring mankind to a place of peace and calm and trust. Welcome! Welcome! Welcome to Cherokee Lake. May you please come visit again and spend some time sitting upon the shore. Have a glorious day!

If the scenes we view in nature could talk, what would they say? This is Part 6 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