Survivors Can Thrive!

In my current post I mentioned that the word pilgrim derives from the latin word "peler" which means stranger. Whilst walking on this ancient path I am stranger in the counrty, with hope crossing borders yet even more so I am stranger to the people and partly to myself. The events which have taken place have enstranged me from myself. I often feel like a stranger in my own heart, yet nature restores me. Each time the strangeness takes over or I am afraid to surrender to it again - nature restores me to more wholeness. Love, Paula
 

Wow, Paula! What an eloquent way you have of putting that. I totally get what you mean. Along with nature, I hope that the caring of others across the blogosphere (like me!) can help you keep your feeling of connection on your travels. *hugs*

Colleen: Oh, thanks for saying that, deary! I was so tired from trying to get the photos in this post to layout right, that I wasn't sure my words still made sense! ;)
 

Marj this post is wonderful and you are such a blessing to me. Sorry about your teeth pain as well dear one. Your post encourages me. Blessings and ((((((((Marj))))))))
 

JBR: Hey! Thanks, deary-doo! :)
 

I'm so glad you had this experience Marj. How wonderful to feel connected. Its a feeling that I often lose sight of myself. I go about the motions of life and don't ever really feel connected, but those moments that I do are amazing.

I also can't help but ponder on your tree climbing statement in regards to myself. I used to find very small, quiet places and get in them. I would often get into boxes and close the lid or go into the longer icechests and just find peace in the dark, confind spaces, often times falling asleep in the little spaces. I'll have to ponder a while on what that might mean...

Anywho, I am so so so glad that you were able to have this outdoors adventure and even more happy to hear of the internal experience that came with it. Its a very valuable bit of information for you to have when things get tough.
Hugs to you my friend
 

Marj, I'm glad that you had a connection with nature and that it's helped you with healing and comfort. I have also found a connection with nature and it's often prevalent in my poetry writing.
You certainly do belong and I'm so glad you're here. ((Marj)) if ok..
Take care
 

Great post and wonderful photos!!
 

What a wonderful post Marj! I love how you describe your experiences of being in nature. And that moose picture!
 

oh my goodness, marj~ what an amazing and beautiful post. i have experienced some pure wonderous moments in nature. it can be so moving and grounding to get to experience it in a peaceful way. i'm so so happy for you that you have had this connection in your life which has been part of the fabric and foundation for your healing. i feel the same way as you as far as feeling connected to the world and humanity, that we are all part of life and so everything we do and feel has an effect on everything else. and when people become disconnected to the extent that they no longer are able to feel empathic towards others is when they can become harmful if they are not careful.

but back to you~ i'm so glad to know you, and i'm so happy you're in the world. people are lucky to know you. i was just thinking last night how grateful i am to know you. you've always been completely positive and encouraging and accepting of me, and i really feel that from you. you are a healing force.

thank you for just being you and for telling us how you feel~~~

warm safe hugs and well wishes to you today and always :)
 

hi marj~ one more thing, i was just reading through your other comments and i noticed that jade said that finding small spaces and crawling into them was something that they did as a child and they weren't sure what that meant.

i just wanted to share that i used to do the same thing. i would crawl into corners of closets behind clothes and under beds and hide in shelves and things like that. sometimes i did that because i was scared, but sometimes i did that because it comforted me. i felt safe being hidden. i also think being in a small space made me feel comforted because i felt physically contained. perhaps it was some subconscious attempt to feel held and protected.

i don't know if it means the same thing for everyone, but i thought i'd share my thoughts in case they could be of use to jade :)

wishing you and everyone well!
 

Jade: Here's some hugs for you and here's to finding more of those amazing connected times. Hhhmmm...and let me know what yo find out about those small spaces. ((((((((JADE))))))))

Paola: Those safe cyber hugs are always okay. And I'm glad you're here, too!

EH: Hey, so nice to "see" you! Glad you liked the post and pix.
 

Thanks, Dr. Young! Yeah, we actually saw three moose on that trip. I could hardly believe it!

Katie: Thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, I forgot to mention in the post how grounding nature is for me. Good point! Awwww! Thanks for what you said about me being a healing force. Nobody's ever said that to me before. And I'm happy to know you, too! :) *hugs*

And thanks for your thoughts about the small spaces. You're sweet!
 

Wonderful, well-written post and great moose pic! The beautiful message will uplift the hearts of all who read it.

I too, find healing and solace in the arms of mamma nature and all her majesty.

Trees are regarded as sacred in Celtic beliefs. It was believed each kind of tree had its own uniquely magical, mystical qualities and a soul. I love that!

Like you, I grieve over the grossly unnatural act of a mother abusing her child, or allowing her child to be abused.

My mother was devoid of what I call the inherent "mother bear instinct," that nearly every mammal possesses. And that instinct is to defend, protect (even at great personal risk) and care for one's young.
 

Little Seed: Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a well-thought-out comment. I think we can relate to each others' experiences quite a bit. Thanks for the Celtic tree reference--cool! I will be coming by to check out your blog soon.
 

Very nice post. I, too, was a tree climber, but I am not sure it was from a connection with nature. (I lived on a farm, anyway; nature was all around.) I think it symbolized a way of getting away from abusive parents -- they were definitely not going to climb a tree to get me. If I could not always outrun them, I could outclimb them! (My reaction was always to escape -- at least, for a few minutes each time it worked!)

Glad you have your own family now and a new life.
 

Elizabeth: Thanks for visiting and leaving your comment. I'm glad you had at least one place you could get to in order to escape your parents. I'll come over and check out your blog.
 

Beautifully said as always. Thanks for writing and sharing.
 

Leah: Hey! Long time, no "see!" Thanks so much for stopping by with your kind comment.