Dear Lyla,
Every year the faculty and staff in our department engage in professional development with our student organization leaders. This year we are focusing on happiness and cultivating hope and resilience in a busy world that has many demands on our time. We are reading a book called “Happier No Matter What” by Tal Ben-Shahar. In this book the author discusses various types of well-being; spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional. As we work through the chapters in the book I find that sometimes those types of self-care are interrelated. Just the other day I was reflecting on how I navigate those steps myself right along with the students. I was struck by how my physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being all coalesce on my early morning walks through our little town of Waverly.
Often I have remarked to friends and family members about how much I love living here. When I walk down the trail I marvel at how the trees create a canopy and one travels through a tunnel of green foliage set against the deep browns of the trunks, dotted with spots of color as birds dance from branch to branch. It feels as if I am walking in a living storybook. I’ve always felt connected to nature, but I am specifically drawn to the woods and the river. The Waverly rail trail does not disappoint, when I walk or cycle down the trail, it truly is peaceful. There are so many little critters to see if you keep your eyes sharp. I have seen beavers, foxes, lots of deer, wild turkeys (they are the most ridiculous creatures to watch), squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and raccoons. Sometimes juvenile raccoons are a little aggressive and who knew that baby raccoons bark like dogs? I found that out the hard way a couple years ago when I was riding my bike. It does not matter how many times I venture out on the trail; it is a new experience every time. The trails around Waverly are calming and I have come to realize that I rely on my walks and my bike rides to center myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I do a lot of contemplating and soul searching during those long bike rides down the trail.
As you know, I walk every morning before the sun comes up. I do my little two-mile loop through the park, and it is a really great way to get myself ready for the day. There is so much to see before the sun comes up or when it’s just starting to peek over the tree line. I always chuckle when I walk by the Nestle plant where there is a big sign of the Nestle Quik Bunny and, ironically, there are always little rabbits darting in and out of the fence by the Nestle plant (and the smell when they are making chocolate is delightful). One of my favorite views is when I walk across the wooden bridge when the river is still and you see all the lights from the church, civic center and park mirrored in the water, it is absolutely beautiful. Of course, I have my favorite tree in the park, I think everybody should have a favorite tree. Part of my morning ritual is to take in the sights, sounds and smells of everything around me so that I can clear my mind and find a moment of grace.
Often I solve my biggest conundrums on those walks. If I have something that is troubling me it provides time to focus and gain some perspective. For the last couple of years, I have taken a picture almost every morning on my walk. Sometimes the photo is of the lights reflecting off the river, or a picture of the beautiful displays that are in the flowerpots that line Bremer Avenue, or my favorite tree and sometimes it is a gorgeous silhouette of the church through the trees right before you arrive at wooden bridge. I try to capture the breathtaking velvet colors of the pinks, oranges, purples, and blues that line the sky as the sun is rising just below the tree line in the eastern part of town, though photos can never really do it justice. When I take these pictures, I post them to my Facebook account with the caption “Good Morning Waverly!” I have had people tell me that they look forward to those pictures and I am glad that they find Waverly as beautiful as I do. However, the reason I post my morning mantra is that it serves as an act of gratitude and an acknowledgement of how privileged I am to live in a community where the residents care for each other, preserve the natural beauty of the land, and embrace the symbiosis of the two. I think we are fortunate to live in such a space that not only allows us to grow and thrive in our personal pursuits and passions but provides room for peace and a sense of belonging.
I know that you enjoy your evening strolls just as much as I rejoice in my early morning treks through the streets of our picturesque little town, and I am so glad that you have the same connection to the wonders of the outdoors as I do. We are truly blessed.
Letters To Lyla 