Friday Exhale
When the Land Becomes the Teacher
Sometimes the path doesn’t give us peace.
It gives us perspective.
This morning, I began the end of my week with a quiet pause, exploring Native lands.
As I stepped onto these ancient paths, I imagined those who had walked here long before me…sometimes alone, sometimes in pairs, sometimes as a community.
Listening to nature.
Learning from Her.
Living in relationship with the land.
I walked two trails.
One was peaceful, inviting stillness with every step.
The other ran alongside a highway, where the constant rush of traffic interrupted the birdsong.
Within me arose an unexpected mixture of gratitude, sadness, and even anger.
I had hoped for serenity.
Instead, the land offered me something different.
It revealed the feelings I needed to notice.
Wonder is not always found in perfect moments. Sometimes it appears in the tension between what is and what we wish could be. It invites us not to look away, but to remain present…to listen more deeply, to feel more honestly, and to let the experience teach us something about ourselves.
Today, I left with more questions than answers.
And somehow, that felt like enough.
May this weekend offer you space to notice what is asking for your attention, not just the beautiful, but the true.
This is our exhale.
Author’s Note
If this touched something inside you, I’d be honored to hear your reflections.
Whether you’ve lived through chaos, rebuilt your voice, or carried wounds no one else could see, your story matters. Sharing reminds us that we are not alone in the slow, powerful work of becoming.
If this piece resonated, I’d be grateful for a like, a comment, or a share.
And if you’d like to walk this healing journey with me, I invite you to subscribe.
With gratitude,
Chellie 🩷
Mary Youngblood and Sana Christian seemed like the perfect edition for tonights Friday Exhale. I listened to this on my ride to the park today.
If you have been journeying with these Friday Exhales, you may also enjoy my This Is My Exhale books—gentle reflections on nature, healing, slowing down, and learning to breathe again.
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