“It’s funny how the nature of an object—let’s say a strawberry or a pair of socks—is so changed by the way it has come into your hands, as a gift or as a commodity. The pair of wool socks that I buy at the store, red and gray striped, are warm and cozy. I might feel grateful for the sheep that made the wool and the worker who ran the knitting machine. I hope so. But I have no inherent obligation to those socks as a commodity, as private property. […] But what if those very same socks, red and gray striped, were knitted by my grandmother and given to me as a gift? That changes everything. A gift creates ongoing relationship.” Robin Wall-Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
What Robin Wall-Kimmerer speaks to here is profound and true. In life, we receive so many gifts from the world, every day - but when money is exchanged, we can often forget to feel gratitude. An apple, just an ingredient for a crumble. A willow basket, just something we use to carry things in.
When we are disconnected from the act of growing, producing and making it is easy to forget.
What Robin-Wall Kimmerer encourages is an active celebration of the gifts we receive from the natural world - as a primary expression of being human. As part of her Potawatomi (First Nation) upbringing, this was a common practice for her - but she could see how it was not something many people did.
In my experience, it’s both humbling and connecting. Creating a ceremony, singing a song of thanks - just remembering, that’s such an important part of it. During our Wild Well Being workshops, we integrate gratitude to the land as part of our practice.
(Here’s Naomi giving thanks during Wintering Well - photo Lou Romain)
How do you show your gratitude? And what does it feel like for you?
Naomi and I will be exploring our collective winter intention, Gratitude that we are part of it all, in our free Wild Well Being online session on the 4th February, 7:30-8:30pm UK time.
Our sessions include a guided meditation, constellation work using objects from nature, and reflections on the Wild Well Beings intention for the season.
We will be launching our new website with in-person workshop dates in February. If you’d like to be put on the mailing list or book onto the 4th Feb online session - email wilderjourneysbook@gmail.com.
Wishing much gratitude and ceremony for you all in 2024!
With my warmest wintery wishes,
Laurie x