#12: Nature doesn’t need to listen to us

Touching deep listening, February 2020 MBD

Sunday morning, I took a hike at the deserted Roosevelt Campobello International Park on Campobello Island. I was up in coastal northern Maine for a short writing workshop and dashed over to see views from this island in New Brunswick, Canada, before heading home.

The park is run by both Canada and the U.S., but nature disregards the border entirely.  

While walking, I came across a stream with beautiful icy edges and flowing water, a wonderful reminder to listen. I love water and wind sounds but don’t often stay still long enough to hear them. Today’s short video is of the gurgling stream and wind in the trees. With headphones, it almost feels like I’m still there.

In college, I remember one of the professors told me to go sit outside and write a piece based on what I heard. 

Another teacher stopped a large group free improvisation and asked a student why they came in. 

My violin teacher told me that it didn’t matter what my personality was, that I could find a way to share any music. 

Most days, I remember that creativity takes intense focus, even if I don’t grasp how to attain it. 

Silence doesn’t mean I know what’s going on or am at all settled with what’s in my head. It is nice to never be bored, though. 

The self that holds you back is the self that doesn’t listen deeply. And deep listening doesn’t come all at once.