Message from the Mountain

I recently discovered a small eggshell on the trail. I was surprised to find it in September, rather than in the summer. It reminded me of people who look as if they had lost their inner spirit. A simple greeting or positive word to them may help them recapture what they have lost. Support the show

I sat in the unfinished cabin, looking out through the open door, at the fall foliage. I was reminded of people that spend most of their lives inside of themselves observing the world. I smiled and went outside through the open door to experience the beautiful weather.   Support the show

The bright red miniature fruit on our crab apple tree is too small for humans, but the birds will feast on them even after they have begun to ferment. The result is tipsy birds. There is so much in nature that is a feast for our souls. All we need to do is take the time to digest them in our hearts. Support the show

The night was warm and clear as a small group of us gathered in the orchard for a full moon meditation and to witness an eclipse taking place at the same time. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Actually, when we are aware, we can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience every day. Support the show

We have had very little rain here in the mountains so far for the month. The little brook that has run all summer is now bone dry. People can find themselves in droughts where it seems as though they can’t make any progress in life. Setting positive intentions each day for the next opportunity can help the flow begin again. Support the show

I believe that everyone has a magic world, either a specific location or an image in their mind where they can visit and communicate with their Source, feel love and gratitude in their hearts, and set positive intentions that will manifest in time. Support the show

The Center recently had a flowering crab apple tree donated to the Ormond Gardens. Its location has changed the garden landscape, expanding its beauty to another level. An act of kindness can literally change the landscape of peoples’ lives. Support the show

I do not usually think of lilies-of-the-valley having color other than green leaves this time of year, but they actually produce bright red seed pods. One of my great joys is discovering the unexpected in all aspects of life. Today I celebrate the beauty of these seeds. Support the show

I recently walked from the Orchard over to the Lupine Field and spent a few moments sitting on a bench taking in the surrounding beauty. I returned to my life in the valley grateful and knowing I had just experienced something special. A few positive moments a day can change us. Support the show

I love to snack, but I have learned that there are snacks that are perfect for me and those that are not. The deer have found the perfect snack in Hosta plants at the Center. We share with them. Our minds also like to snack on thoughts. Some are healthy and some are not.   To hear this podcast recording, go to: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2037649 or http://www.michaelhathaway.com/message-from-the-m...

As the summer flowers begin to fade, a collection of plants, such as stonecrop, are making their presence known. I so enjoy watching the changes taking place. Unfortunately, there are people that do not take the time to appreciate the beauty they are surrounded with. Joy is good. Support the show

Recently, my wife scattered a pound of lupine seeds throughout the Orchard with the goal of enhancing what Nature is already doing. The future flowers will be good for the wildlife as well as bringing joy to human visitors. We go forward hand in hand with Nature. Support the show

There are still more flowers being transplanted into the Ormond Gardens as we enter the second week of September. We have some more Brown Eyed Susans adding color, but the real investment is in next year. Kind acts are investments in the future. Support the show

We recently bought a covered bridge to span an old stump so the fairies would have a safe way across. I think of streams in the mountains that do not have bridges that require some creative thinking to cross. Sometimes in life we are meant to be on the side we are on. Support the show

Recently I visited the Mountain on a perfect fall day. I enjoyed my time there and thought about perfect days. Just because it was perfect to me, it might not be perfect to others. Every day has moments of perfection if we choose to experience them with heartfelt gratitude. Support the show

Nature has gotten out its fall paint brushes and is busy decorating the landscape. People are also decorating with fall motifs inside and outside their homes. It is okay to bring positive pleasure into your life that is based on heart love. Others also get a benefit from this. Support the show

It was a great summer of growing for the birch trees. Now their bark has begun to split and peel away, making room for new skin to form. People are going through changes and peeling away old beliefs, making room in their expanding minds. Support the show

The tiny yellow flowers, easily overlooked and often considered a weed, grow silently on the garden floor. At the same time, they provide a balance to the larger flashy flowers. In life, there are special people that exist as the “salt of the earth”, bringing a balance in other lives. Support the show

The clusters of small white roundish flowers growing in an area of the orchard caught my eye. The wildflower book identifies them as Pearly Everlasting. It reminded me that the energy in each of our actions lasts a long time. It is wise to set positive intentions. Support the show

Earlier in the season, Derek transplanted a lot of flowers, and one of them has really made itself known, growing to over four feet tall with bright yellow flowers. It is, I believe, a helianthus, a woodland sunflower. Some people have a big presence and others are less showy but still make a difference. Support the show

All the pieces of the small boulder, before it had been fractured, were still in order as if waiting to be glued back together. People can be fractured physically or mentally. Fortunately, we can make adjustments as we assemble the pieces again with heart love. Support the show

I know we are constantly being watched as we walk in the woods by animals and birds and insects, but did you know there are plants that are keeping an eye on you, too, like the white baneberry. There are also spirits that watch us if you choose to believe. Support the show

Today is the first day of meteorological fall. There are hints of the change of seasons, but overall, one day feels like summer and the next one may be colder. We can experience the seasons of life with a more even element of heart-based gratitude and love. Support the show

I love walking under the canopy of mature trees. Where the trails are open to the sun, there is a lot more work to keep the new growth cleared. In life, we can walk under the protection of our Source and grow spiritually at the same time. Support the show

I saw a clump of tall white tall flowers in the Lupine Field and made my way closer to investigate. From there I saw a purple cone flower for the first time this year. It reminded me that I can discover life again for the first time every day.   Support the show