Green Tribe of Belonging

 I've been fascinated with the urge to migrate lately. Wikipedia gives us a lot of interesting facts about this phenomenon. Migration means the movement of various species from one habitat to another, usually on a yearly basis. There are a number of reasons why some creatures would do this: temperature fluctuations, escaping the rigors of winter, more plentiful food somewhere else, the mating urge. It is interesting that we find annual migration patterns in all major animal groups: birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects and crustaceans. And maybe humans.... Here at Prairie Hill, I've been noticing the flocks of geese heading south recently. And from the lack of visitors lately at the hummingbird feeder, I suspect those small vivacious birds have already started their long annual journey south as well. This morning we woke up to the coldest temperature yet this fall. We actually had to wear a jacket early in the day. So change is in the air. Wikipedia says that  bir

 I've been thinking about purpose lately. Maybe fall nudges us to step back and take a wider view. What have we accomplished? What other things do we want to do? Even though here in Iowa it is still very hot, the taste of autumn is in the air. Hummingbirds seem to be sipping nectar with frenzy, stocking up for their long migration. Squirrels and chipmunks are hiding stores for the winter. Geese are passing through. The days are getting shorter, and evenings cooler. And so I look out my window and wonder about purpose. My own purpose, for instance. For humans in the 21st Century, purpose can feel very complex. Depending upon your age, it might have to do with succeeding in your business, getting high marks in school, finding a partner, raising a family. Or all of these things. Our purpose gets fractured, with conflicting needs and aspirations. And then there's the question about whether you're succeeding in your purpose. How do you know what is enough? In this competitive cu

 More than usual, interactions with other people have been challenging me lately. I asked my astrologer friend what is happening. Can I blame this on something outside of me? Is there something in the air or earth energy or planets that is making us all more irritable, more reactive, less cooperative? I would like my interactions with people to be honest and gentle and sensitive instead of frustrated. This seems a reasonable wish. Yet all too often I've been feeling unhappy with how some human interaction has gone. I know that I need to look to myself for the solution, not blame other people, even though in the moment of frustration it is easy to be tempted to place the blame elsewhere! The only thing that has helped me with this is to sit quietly somewhere outside, and notice what is going on in the natural world. This morning I could feel myself becoming frustrated with little things. Nothing seemed quite right. I was not patient with my kitty when she threw up in my bedroom. I c