Day 65 - Wild Geese...

Day 65 of my Gratitude/Walk/Photo Challenge.

It was a wee bit of a challenge finding an obvious gratitude today. I don't know why. I was sore and tired when I awoke in the wee sma' hours and was very tempted to write the day off.
But I got out of bed and made it to yoga. After ten minutes, I was convinced I'd made the wrong choice. I was sore and struggling. But I kept going, and soon the hour was up and I'd managed - and enjoyed the class with no tears or resorting to Child's Pose...

Later in the afternoon, I grimly reminded myself that, apart from a supermarket visit and some household chores, I'd not really walked today. It was chilly outside, and grey. Easier to sit and doom scroll...
But I put on my jacket and went for a walk.

As I walked, I thought about my elderly neighbour who is back in hospital yet again and how she always used to tell me that she used to be full of energy and purpose. I reminded myself of how lucky I am to still be able to get out and enjoy the world.
So, the gratitudes were gathering...

I was looking for my photo for today when some geese flew past.
For some reason, a line from the beautiful poem by Mary Oliver came into my mind; "Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting—
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things."
Much to be grateful for, especially remembering my place in the family of things.

Two miles walked.

Photo of the geese that stirred my imagination...

Full poem for those who don't know it:

"Wild Geese"
By Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting—
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.