This blog was inspired by a 2017 AT thru-hiker in Georgia. Thank you, Eden, for encouraging me to slow down and look around.
In the land of Georgia we did jaunt
The Goddess, Eden, began to taunt
“Why do you hike such a fast pace?
You miss the views of our lovely earth’s face!”
I changed my gaze from up to down
And was surprised by the sites that I found!
Thing-a-ma-bobs, critters and colorful fungi,
“I had no idea!” was my astonished reply.
Star-like flowers, bright berries, craggily rocks,
Flying warthog shaped fungus and brightly colored phlox.
Yellow, red, purple, blue and white
A feast of colors sparkling in the daylight.
Tiny creatures scurrying to find a place to hide,
Toad, snakes, lizards, insects watching me wide-eyed.
Beauty I’ve not noticed because my gaze was straight ahead
Will not be missed in the future because I’ll look around instead.
This lesson from the trail Goddess I will hold dear to my heart,
The world is filled with beauty, right down to the smallest part!
“There are so many things you can learn about. BUT … you’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.” – I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
“A person’s a person no matter how small.” – Horton Hears a Who
“Think and wonder, wonder and think.” – Oh the Thinks I Can Think
‘You’re off to great places. Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting so … get on your way.” – Oh the Places You’ll Go!
“It’s high time you were shown that you really don’t know all there is to be known.” – On Beyond Zebra
“And the turtles, of course … all the turtles are free. As turtles, and maybe, all creatures should be.” – Yertle the Turtle
“From there to here and here to there, funny things are everywhere.” – One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
“Step with care and great tact and remember that life is a great balancing act.” – Oh the Places You’ll Go!
“If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good.” – The Cat in the Hat
