Spanish Moss

We had a tropical storm in Miami today. I knew i wanted to be able to be outside comfortably so I wore rubber boots and a rain jacket to work today. I was waiting for the wind, but he did not come. Only rain, water drops flowing everywhere. I love playing in the rain and watching the water flow. Time changes and shifts, it slows down and calms me. Rainy days are great to reflect. During lunch, I went for a walk in the garden with a friend from work.  As soon as i stepped out from the office, I noticed that the spanish moss hanging from the beautiful live oaks in front of our building were green. I said surprised: "the spanish moss turns green with the rain!!" I did not know it can absorb water up to ten times its dry weight. The rain provides nutrients to the spanish moss which then turns green, he is alive. Other people at the garden already knew about this. I have seen many live oaks in my life before, but today was the first time in my life that I saw what happens to spanish moss hanging from an established live oak during a heavy rain storm. Today was a special day. The rain maginfied the enchanted and already magical energy of the community formed by live oaks, spanish moss, resurrection ferns and epiphytes that share a forest home.

Seeing the grayish/white moss turn green was not just wonderful. I was happy to see that I am connecting mindfully to my natural environment to notice and observe changes, shifts. Not long ago, I did not even know we had live oaks in south florida. My awareness about my natural environment is growing. I am becoming friends with my environment. 

During my exploration walk on the rain, I saw how different the garden was. Lichen colors were brighter and colorful, shades of stronger reds emerging. Frogs singing loudly. Everything seemed more alive. I felt more alive too, i wanted to run, play, draw plants, journal.

Then, I wondered about the desert plants at the garden and how they might feel during the heavy south florida storms. I wondered if they felt happy and then a little overloaded. It reminded me of when i take in too much and then i can't process it all. that is why i like to breathe slowly, deeply and mindfully whenever i remember to.

there is so much to learn from nature, only if we let ourselves do it. everything in nature relates to me. what is true in nature, is true in my heart.
i am nature and nature is me...