face covered in clay. hair red from rolling in the dirt. skin dyed in sunset from digging my face into the sand and filling my ears with the sounds of the outback. surrounded in the water of the wettest desert. immersed in the warmth of thecoldest expanse. laying face down in the ground to bury my fears in oka and dig them out as flowering faith. on a journey with my dear friends. following horse tracks home and listening to the sounds of twilight birds as they sing to the sunset like ours do at sunrise. overwhelmed at the sweet scents of innumerable wildflowers. wandering free through the rocks and brush. termite skyscrapers guide to a white scarab and then to a sunlit patch of earth where I see the bear standing silent next to a tree full of kookaburras. the stillness of coming night means little to the symphonies of these desert dwellers. stars tell their secret stories and scoff at satellites. shooting stars burn wish lines into our dreamtime and orbs of light we can’t explain dance around the moon and zoom off through the milky way.
before we entered the outback a wise old brother told me this red center is all about listening. I thought I knew what he meant, but it wasn’t until I felt the stories of these thorns and rocks and red earth under my feet that my eyes opened to the lessons that go beyond just hearing with my ears. there is a way of life that is so abundant out here in the outback. even amongst the dryness and heat and freezing and brush and brambles there is a peaceful paradise happening all around us that is so evident here in the center of this ancient land when you just take a second to feel. the earth. speak.
bless the custodians and stewards of this great land. I bow to these lessons and honor this sacred way of life.
thank you alice springs. thank you Uluru. thank you Kata Tjuta. Thank you for your sweet teachings and inspiring me to walk with the strength and grace of your powerful land with new ears and eyes
thank you for sharing – I will try to help
ohmyyuuuu
It really is a grand vista, cleanses the soul to be so far from the ‘real’ world.
A few years ago the tourism industry put out an advert that used the term
“sometimes you have to get lost to find yourself ” A bit tacky yet it rings true. I grew up in the bush but moved to the city years ago and relish the chance to get lost every now and then. It gives me a sense of release and harmony
So much sleep forfeited just simply sitting, staring skyward next to the fire.
Always the last to bed and the first to rise
Namaste Dustin, Thank you for such inspiring words. You seem to be on a great and wonderful path, and you have brought much positivity to my own already. Thank you again, and continue seeking the good in life, as i will do the same and hope that maybe our efforts along with many others will lead us to a great future on this incredible little planet.
You are truly a beautiful soul. I saw you at Shangri-La this year and it was one of the best performances I’ve seen. You just seemed so raw and genuine. A friend of mine sent me this link and I’ve been devouring your words. They are so beautiful. You transport me to the scenes you so vividly describe. That’s a gift few possess. I am a writer myself and you inspire me. This is kind of stuff is my heroine. Definitely my type of stuff 🙂 Just wanted you to know how gorgeous your wandering soul is. Happy life my friend. Much love.