The Art of Being Yourself by Caroline McHugh

Come Away With Me, Nature Invites…

Gliding down the mirror surface of the Kaaimansriver in a Kayak. A wonderfilled close to a gorgeous sunsplashed day in Eden. The late afternoon sun glistens on the copper-coloured water. Hugged by cliffs on each side the kayak moves slowly but steadily through the water. A Kingfisher, a couple of Oyster Catchers and a colony of seaugulls are amongst the plenty of feathered companions on this water-bound journey. My arms burn from the rowing motion pushing against the tide moving in from the mouth. But I barely notice as I am surrounded by Nature’s wild beauty.

This is my soulspace…one of many, embraced by nature’s grace, where there is no haste…where the water surrounds me and the sound of small waves dance against the bow of the kayak. A symphony of song penetrates my skin, evokes the living sensation that harmonizes with every particle of my being. ‘We know, we know, they sing, it is aliveness she brings.’

It is nothing but spectacular the way the river joins the ocean. When these two forces, each unique in temperament, meet over and over, the one becomes the other. I step into the shallow waters and into this place where the two water bodies join. I observe this wonder surrounding me. But ‘I’ am no longer ‘I’ as time and definition are of no consequence in this place. The white foam swallows the rustic copper colour and what remains is clear water sparkling in the afternoon sun. I am surrounded by wild wonder and splendour in this moment of being human.

It is so much better experiencing Nature from this perspective. These water bodies and ways are the domain of water beings. For a moment I wish I could be an integral part of this magical world and not just a mere visitor. But alas, I must be content with the kayak that brings one closer to a raw unfiltered attunement with her. I love how all of the sounds come together…Nature sounds are the most pleasant harmonies that can fall upon the ear. The tide is coming in stronger, so the kayak needs to be turned around.

Back inland up the river, the sound of tumbling water extends an invitation for further exploration deeper within the green lush vegetation. One can only access this hidden gem via the river. The kayak moves between a narrow opening between the rocks and there she is. A sight breath-taking to behold. A beautiful mess of tumbling water echoes in this rocky cocoon. Cool mist descends and creates a rainbow-coloured haze. Rest in this place, linger as her beauty invigorates body and soul. Oh the wonder of nature. She is never the same, but consistently true to her wild essence.

Nature invites you to experience her in her raw forms and to experience the emergence of your true wildish essence in her authentic presence….

Authenticity requires that we walk a Lionhearted Journey (c) Bea Potgieter

March 3, 2013 at 6:01pm

Authenticity requires that we journey through the dark, uncertain, unknown passage to meet ourself as we truly are.

Authenticity requires that we are deeply, disturbingly honest with ourselves.

Authenticity requires that we surrender to our vulnerability in humility, compassion and acceptance.

Authenticity requires that we face our fears and surrender our attempts to distract from them.

Authenticity requires that we follow our own truths and wisdom and relinquish the need to claim another’s for our own.

Authenticity requires that we return to the Nature Within, it is where everything begins.

Authenticity requires HOPE, COURAGE & LOVE.

Authenticity requires that we connect with the knowing that all that we need to travel this journey with is WITHIN.

Authenticity requires that we ARE ALL THAT WE ARE in any given moment, nothing more and nothing less for it is ENOUGH.

Authenticity requires simple TRUTH.

Authenticity requires that we release the wounds and fears that own our disconnected existence.

Authenticity requires a Blue Star & a Lionheart. Discover the power within, join the journey to Authenticity.

Authenticity requires that we own, hold a space for, balance and embrace the opposites: light-dark, strong-vulnerable, masculine-feminine.

Authenticity requires that we live from the Heart.

Authenticity requires that we listen to the voice of our Soul.

Authenticity requires that we allow our wounds to teach us and let it lead us to paths of enlargement and deepening of a soul life.

Authenticity requires commitment, love, compassion, humility, integrity, courage, hope, truth and total surrender to the essentially lonely journey into the unknown.

Authenticity requires that we continue on the path even if there is none. We continue and make it our own.

Authenticity requires us to be open to whatever teachings in whatever form we may find.

Authenticity requires that we live the questions of our lives with humility and curiosity to what may be found.

Authenticity requires us to journey inward and manifest outward what we are.

Authenticity is found in the simplest act of being a human embraced in its rawest form.