Nature’s Master Class – An Hour Long Walk

February 16 2023

Just back from an hour long walk.

I had a meeting this morning. I wanted to shine my best during this meeting. It meant so much to me.

I feel like I completely flopped. My speaking didn’t flow, it was broken, at times breathless and rushed. I feel I didn’t represent myself and my abilities. I was anxious, and all this wrapped together deflated my self esteem.

I have felt lousy ever since. This gorgeous walk helped. The trees, water, sky, clouds are masters at holding space for whatever one feels.

Life has no rewind feature. However, nature sure knows how to shine when life feels paused. 💙💙💙

Wonderful Walks With Beautiful Sunsets

February 8 2023

Wonderful walk yesterday. 🤍

February 10 2023

We had a beautiful sunset a few nights ago. It’s hard to catch a photo as it changes so quickly.

February 11 2023

Another sunset a couple of nights ago. Almost missed it!

I went for a walk yesterday without a jacket. Now, it’s snowing. ❄️🫣❄️

Throwback Post: Reblog: Found the Mojo With Incredible Birdsong and Pink Blossoms While Swimming

**THROWBACK POST**

April 20 2021

I didn’t want to go for a walk this morning. I’ve misplaced my mojo lately. These lovelies cheered me on.

     

April 26 2021

This mornings walk was gorgeous, the birdsong incredible!

           

April 27 2021

Pink and white and gray. Colors for the Tuesday morning walk.

   

Go here to see the full post …

Found the Mojo With Incredible Birdsong and Pink Blossoms While Swimming

Quenches the Thirst – Camilla on Patricia’s Pen

I’m honored to have been a guest on Patricia’s Pen. Thank you Tricia!

Today on Patricia’s Pen I’m delighted to introduce Poet, Camilla Downs, who has come to chat about how walking inspires her writing. Without further ado, let’s go over to Camilla.

Inspirational Walks
Camilla Downs

Just as a cool glass of water slakes my thirst on a scorching hot day, going for walks quenches the thirst of my heart and soul to know my true self, to heal, to release, to allow joy, and to be at peace. Walking guides me in the loving way to process life, to fulfill life, to let life be, and to take action.

During the years of 2010 – 2019, I took a deep dive into healing myself, learning and practising mindfulness, meditation, and emotional connection. I left a 10 year marriage in December of 2006, becoming a solo parent to my two kids who were 1 year old and 5 years old at the time.

There was much I needed to process having to do with that, along with experiences of childhood, youth, my teenage years, and early adult life.

My way of processing life was (and is) to walk and write about what I am experiencing. During those years of healing I would write about what I was experiencing, ending the writing with asking ‘What do I need to know?’ I would then free-write a response, almost always a writing that soothed my soul, or set forth steps I may want to take.

For the past 20 years I have been going for walks. The meaning and depth of the walks have shifted throughout the years. What started as an activity simply to satisfy my desire to be active, bloomed into a walking practice. A practice to process healing, to release, to discover my authentic self, and to connect with nature.

Photo by Camilla Down taken during a walk at Scripts Wildlife Preserve – Reno, Nevada, USA – 2020
Going for a walk at least three times a week has literally kept me going when I felt I could not carry on, and propelled me into bliss in times of joy. Each time I walk I have a different experience.

At some point my writings combined with my walks and nature photography. Nearly every day when I returned from my walk, I would swipe through the photos I took, paying close attention to how my body felt. When moved, I would choose a photo, and ask what I was to share. Poetry would flow from that. It was really quite amazing for me to experience.

In the beginning of 2019, I decided I was ready to put forth another book. As I sat looking through my writings, the free-verse poetry kept coming to the forefront. I realized that I had been writing poetry for six years, with a knowing that the poetry was to be the next book.

Words of Alchemy was published in December 2019. I’ve been on a sabbatical from writing since that time, as I felt I needed a break. I feel sure that once I’m moved to write again, the words will eventually flow.

May you be inspired to explore how walking could create a shift in your life; whether that be ever so small or ever so big.

Follow the link to see the full post on Patricia’s Pen:

https://whitewingsbooks.com/2022/02/15/guest-feature-camilla-downs/?fbclid=IwAR38jZlbB79MYvHfoeQvKDgitPqQQkDwEojDIddj73UN0BMWyHNPf5PDU8A

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here

Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

Reblog: Beautiful and Wild With Mother Nature

December 31 2020

Beautiful last sunset of 2020!

January 7 2021

Wild n crazy clouds yesterday.

  

January 7 2021

Thomas and I went for a much needed walk this afternoon. Mother Nature is simply the best.

   

Follow the link to see more photos …

Beautiful and Wild With Mother Nature

Reblog: The Intoxicating Attraction of Mother Nature

October 16 2020

A walk to Tamarack Lake this morning. The smell of the evergreen trees, the silence, the beauty, the sound of the birds, the taste of fresh clean air. Intoxicating. Pure bliss.

   

Go here to see the original post, including more photos …

The Intoxicating Attraction of Mother Nature

Throwback Post: Walk With Me – Nature is a Knowing Mirror

**THROWBACK POST**

May 13 2016:

Today’s Walk With Me theme: Anything is possible if the intention is there. If grass can grow on a rock, then your dreams, your creations are possible.

Confirmation that nature is indeed a mirror reflecting your beauty and whatever it is that will benefit you in the moment.

In the stillness, there is clarity. At times there may be ripples, yet, clarity always returns. xoxo

May 16 2016:

Nature had amazing and beautiful gifts this morning. How did she know I was in need of such beauty and gifts? She knows. She always knows. xoxo

 

Friday, May 20, 2016: Today’s Walk With Me theme was: Let those emotions and feelings blow right on through you; rather than letting them settle within and make themselves at home. Let them stay just long enough to connect with, be curious with, and physically feel. After this, they will leave on their own … If it helps, go stand in the wind!

December 2020 Update: These are from a time I was processing deep healing. Nature was a constant source of comfort, helping me to view events in the most helpful light. My views have changed a bit regarding emotions and feelings. I feel it is imperative that we allow ourselves to physically feel emotions and feelings, so that when they do “blow right through”, we have processed what needed to be processed. If not, these emotions will keep reappearing.

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 19 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here

Wonderfully exciting news! My 15 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

Reblog: We Have a Beautiful Earth

We Have A Beautiful Earth

September 18 2020

We’re in the good range with air quality, so went for a much needed walk. Scripts Wildlife Preserve and Little Washoe Lake. Sat on this perfectly shaped piece of driftwood, and just breathed. We have such a beautiful Earth.

    

Go here to see more photos …

We Have A Beautiful Earth