sweet connection...

 I've been teaching a class this week, that has taken me full circle back to the reasons why I became a Park Ranger years ago, and ultimately why I also became an educator. A young girl joined our group, having only just moved to the U.S. (from South Korea) 3 weeks ago. When I say that she was immobilized by fear & anxiety because of the language barrier, it would be an understatement...I just don't have the language to explain how much anguish she experienced early in the week. On Days 1-3 she wasn't even able to make it through the first hour before needing to be collected by her (very loving & patient) mother (also experiencing the crazy language barrier).

On Day 4, I scrapped the plan, and took us where I've often seen major transformations take place....outside, into nature. We all walked together, collecting small gifts from flowers and trees, feathers, seed pods, and spent some time with some baby geese at a nearby pond. I was watching this child closely, and could see the weight lifting....by the time we returned, she was smiling and able to make eye contact. This morning when her mother dropped her off, she pulled me aside and showed me several photos on her phone....the only words her mother said were "yesterday, after." What I saw in the photos was that this child had taken home the objects we collected on the walk, and made beautiful (framed!) collages that were now hanging on their walls, and resting on bookshelves. She had even tucked sprigs of lavender and rosemary into various nooks and crannies around the house. Her mother's eyes filled with tears as she scrolled through the photos, which of course triggered my own.

It turns out that happy-crying requires no translation ❤️

-Robyn

Full early in the morning,

awakes the summer sun. 

The month of June arriving, 

the cold and dark are done. 

The cuckoo is a fine bird, 

she whistles as she flies. 

And as she whistles "cuckoo", 

the bluer grow the skies. 

a reminder...

We're stepping back into homeschooling next year...we'll have one in school, and one at home. (are you walking that path? we'd love to connect!) I've started filling my Instagram feed with lots of inspiring follows in preparation. This piece in particular rang true for me this morning... #Repost @wildandfree.co with @repostapp.
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{At some point in your homeschooling journey you will hit your sweet spot. You will grow to a place of confidence where you are no longer easily worried that you're incapable, or doing things the wrong way, or somehow failing your children. When you're able to encourage and reassure yourself from deep down inside, from that place of conviction; those voices of doubt and worry will suddenly grow very quiet. Instead of relying constantly on outside sources (books, friends, groups, etc.) to give you what you need, you will be able to strengthen yourself. You will be able to fill your own cup. Does that mean you'll never need a support system? Not at all. It only means that some day you won't be relying on outside sources of support to sustain you in your decision to homeschool. You will be able to stand alone if needed.} -Toni Weber @homeschoolingbyheart ❤ Thanks for these life-giving words, sweet mama!

Ready....Go!

This 3 set series is finished and ready to go... all our tutorials will be available exclusively through The BEarth Institute this year. Detailed information about what each video contains, sample clips for each one, and purchases can be made here.

Portrait of the Annapurna Woman

I was so, so honoured when the soulful ladies at Annapurna Living asked to interview me for their Portrait of the Annapurna Woman feature - "an ongoing series featuring divine women who embody the nurturing spirit of Annapurna Living." I am ever grateful for their spirit, their purpose, and their willingness to keep showing up with the work they are doing! You can read the interview here.