OF ALL THE TEACHERS I have known, I have found none greater than trees. So many teachers and teachings have enriched my life that I wrote a book about them, accompanied by drawings of favorite scenes. A few of the things trees can teach us: Reach for the light. Grow from the bottom up, and from the inside out. Be
I’VE LEARNED THIS LITTLE LESSON before, and I will probably relearn it many times again. You never know when you write a book, when you share some words and thoughts and feelings, where they will go or who they may touch. Even a humble, silly little book. When I received an email from France, from old friend Doug Cushman—artist and
“MAN IS WHOLE when he is in tune with the winds, the stars, and the hills… Being in tune with the universe is the entire secret.” Justice William O. Douglas As I look around me, I see the sapphire blue of sky and a sparkling lake, the green shades of trees, the swooping arcs of gulls, and the clean hardness
IF YOU’RE GONNA BE DUMB, YOU GOTTA BE TOUGH. In my new book ‘A Wild Path,’ I tell the story of golfing with my buddy Carroll. On the occasion of a foolish and somewhat painful mistake–a ball ricocheting off a pine tree, perhaps, or a shank off a shin–Carroll spoke the memorable words quoted above. I broke up laughing and
“AND HERE IS THE SECRET if you have not already guessed it. The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time. The more we give thanks, the more we find to be thankful for. And the more we find to be thankful for, the happier we become. We don’t
THE LETTER THAT CHANGED MY LIFE, and the next step… Today I am feeling grateful. Tidying up a storage area in the cabin, sorting through materials from my 12 years as president of the Listening Point Foundation, I was powerfully reminded of the profound effect that beloved North Country author Sigurd Olson had on my life. That connection began with
HI EVERYONE: I am growing more and more excited about the upcoming release of my new book, ‘A Wild Path.’ One of the most gratifying things is to see the very generous words of praise it continues to receive. Last week I shared the thoughts of esteemed author Parker J. Palmer. Below are a few more. Meanwhile, so many of
TODAY I AM delighted to share the beautiful dust jacket for my new memoir, A Wild Path. With an official pub date of Dec. 5, I’m even more delighted to say that you can now pre-order. Through Amazon or other online outlets, even better from your local independent bookseller. Or for a signed copy from me, simply use this link
IN MY WRITING OFFICE there are many items of interest. At least to me. Hundreds of books, photos and art, mementoes from countless wilderness trips. But especially… rocks. Rocks have been important to me since earliest childhood. And I suspect I am far from alone in this regard. The following chapter from my book, ‘Deep Woods, Wild Waters,’ (University of
IN MY WORK and travels, I meet a great many people who ask me, essentially, how I can be an optimist in this world. There was a time when I wasn’t. I’m still not, always. Nobody can be honest and be an optimist all the time. On my good days I am. Most days I am. Outdoors I usually am.