Occasionally I need to escape the hard urban edges. That’s why the track was such a great find! It winds ever upward through bushland… around the ocean headland to the top of the hill… and then back down again to the sea. The air is salty here. And after the rain… the fresh smell of green… and the sounds of the bush. So earthy and cool.
It’s only a single path and early in the morning there are very few people on it. Those who are… seem to share some sort of unspoken common purpose.
It occurred to me the other day that the track is a lot like life.
The uphill climb… the people we pass… the obstacles in the way… the small footbridges that take us across… the huge moss covered boulders [pooling water] upon which to rest… and then finally… breathless and spent… the awe inspiring view from the top.
From there the downhill run is invigorating. People pass by on their way up. Some say good morning. Others simply nod then avert their eyes. Others still… plugged into i-pods… push by oblivious. I find myself wondering who would want to miss hearing the sound of this beautiful place with it’s whip bird calls… the flurry of leaves in the wind… and the magnificent ocean’s roar as they pass. I let the thought go.
I could stand by the sea and watch it endlessly… like a child who has never seen waves before. From the rocks the ocean’s incessant power thrills and inspires me. The ocean takes orders from no-one. It is relentless in it’s quest for the shore and all-powerful in the face of obstacles.
I want to be just a little like that!
A couple of surfers wait by the rocks for the perfect wave. It occurs to me how charmed their life must be. I watch the relentless pursuit of ‘that which is sometimes unattainable’. I admire their willingness to pit their strength against a formidable ocean. And the patient waiting!
Maybe [in life] we should all learn to surf?
Or failing that… even if only just once in a while… go for a walk in the natural world!
Last week the world celebrated Earth Day.
I put together some images from the Track… my image library… and art archives.
So come for a walk with me. Let’s talk about the things that matter!
Tribute to Earth Day from Jean Burman on Vimeo.
With thanks to Lucy – my gorgeous niece
[who recently had a 'whale' of a time at SeaWorld on the Gold Coast]
and my own two girls for adding a beautiful human dimension to the clip!
Music – Earthsong – Michael Jackson
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this video, Jean. It felt like I was sharing the walk with you, thinking the thoughts and feeling the feelings. And the best part is, it continues to resonate. What I like best is that you’ve captured the beauty and wonder of this planet, and while we can’t for a second forget the things that threaten it (great expressive image of the looming and ominous shadow of the jetliner), the feeling I came away with was resolutely upbeat.
Thanks John
I’m so glad you got it [not that I didn't think you would] but seriously I had someone comment this morning that they were disappointed that I didn’t use MJ’s original footage instead of mine. Go figure. Not the point I would have thought… but maybe I’m just confused… [Grin] I really appreciate knowing how you felt about it. That’s important feedback! And I am [as always] very grateful to have it.