a holiday blessing

The news isn’t great. Our animals are disappearing — giraffes and coho and lions and fishers. Climate change is all around us — we see it in the weather and in the tides. Political systems seem stretched beyond capacity around the world. It’s a distressing way to enter the season of hope and joy.

I read all this and put down my iPhone feeling powerless and glum. My dog gives a tail wag and I grab my coat and head outside. The sky is clearing from this welcome rain and a little sunlight shines through the yellow leaves of a maple tree. Walking towards the park, I wave to a neighbor, smile, check the creek running under the bridge — any steelhead? And I walk. Walking through the oak woodlands has been my tonic for years. The fresh rain smell wafts around me, my step lightens, Abbie the dog runs after the ball. By the end of my walk, my disposition had greatly improved. I was chilled on my cheeks and nose, but warm in my heart. 

I felt better. Nature makes me feel better. I’m so grateful to live here in Northern California surrounded by the spectacular drama of nature, grateful to be living and working in communities that appreciate the natural world. That gives me courage, gives me hope, and helps remind me not to give up or give in. ​

We at Sonoma Land Trust took down a bunch of rusty barbed wire fencing at our Glen Oaks Ranch Preserve. Other neighbors planted drought-resistant plants — good for water consumption, good for our native bees and insects. One neighbor is helping to remove blackberry in front of a culvert so animals can pass safely under Highway 12. Another couple changed the outdoor lighting around their house, reducing the wattage and pointing the lights down. These are little things we all can do that add up and make a difference in the world.

Sharing is another thing we can do to make our lives better. Today, give a friend a call and invite him or her for a walk. Head down to Sears Point and the new section of the Bay Trail. Look at the wetland restoration and all the migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Breathe deep. Feel the calm of nature soothe your soul. You’ll feel better. And tomorrow, call some more friends. Invite them out to a Sonoma Land Trust On-the-Land event or to help at one of our volunteer workdays. Getting out in nature will heal what ails you. The act of doing the simple things that you can do will greatly revive your spirit. I promise. And when you come back, drop us a little note — by email, or snail mail, or a comment on this blog. Tell us what you did and how it made you feel.

As this year comes to an end, I want to thank each of you for all the simple acts you have done through the year to make the world a better place. I know that here at Sonoma Land Trust, we couldn’t do our work without you. Thank you for your generous support. Thank you for coming out to Tolay Creek Ranch to take care of a place I love so much. Thank you for bringing your friends with you, for your laughter and jokes and hard work. Thank you for coming on hikes and sharing your stories. Thank you for the kind notes you send us with your generous gifts. 

You inspire all of us here at Sonoma Land Trust — your unbounded optimism and joy are a large part of what keeps us going here day after day. We are so grateful to be part of this wonderful community. Have a happy holiday season.