FOREST BATHING

BY DOMINQUE MILLER (SHE/HER)

An early morning, late September a lightweight coat and a backpack, one filled with stressful feelings. Want to take that weight off my shoulders by visiting this healing forest, one filled with mysterious wonders.

I am greeting her, respectfully when passing her entrance sign. The blue jay is greeting me back, we both seem to be early birds. I am starting a conversation with all that is surrounding me; tall trees, tiny critters & so much more. We are communicating in silence and those unspoken words are telling me a lot.

I am breathing in bright rays of sunlight … inhaling … exhaling a warming up for my body a wake-up call for my soul.

Cool air is blowing gently it freshens up my mind and it is coloring my cheeks, in a reddish color. Red as the autumn leaves that are coloring in this forest.

My heart feels lighter with every step I take. Although, my legs are feeling heavier leaving miles behind me as well as that stressful feeling.

My pace is slow not following manmade signs following my intuition. Now, my sneakers are plowing through bright green grass while the morning dew is kissing my white socks. They are getting wet by the overload of kisses feeling fortunate to be a nature lover.

I keep moving forward not ready to turn around even though my socks are soaking wet. It makes me feel more grounded, grounded with this land I am walking on, we both have our own stories to tell.

My giggles are breaking the silence as I am seeing myself standing here in the middle of who knows where. Asking myself, while looking at my wet shoes, if I am taking this forest bathing not too literally. Do I?

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