“My faith is held together by wonder—by every defiant commitment to presence and paying attention.”—Cole Arthur Riley
Today, at our local bike/coffee shop, we were discussing the back story of coffee, speculating on what impelled the first imbiber to suddenly take interest in the bright red berries.
It so happens that back when I was a budding journalist, writing a monthly food column, I investigated this very question, learning that in 850 CE an Ethiopian goat herder noticed his herd, after chomping on the berries of a certain wild shrub, displayed an unusual degree of energy and vigor.
Today, of course, the goat herder would never have noticed. He’d be too busy checking his TikTok.
Or consider aspirin, developed from an ingredient in willow bark. Who first recognized the bark’s analgesic properties?
I bring up stories like this to illustrate the point that we are always being sourced, consistently being guided. To believe we’re stranded here on this big ball of rock without resources, to think the natural world isn’t constantly working on our behalf is just plain reckless.
The world’s provisions, in fact, exceed our wildest imaginings. Our only task is to notice, to pay attention, to break away from the digital colonization that subdues most humans.
I included an experiment in my book, E-Cubed called Nature vs. News. The supposition readers tested was that all information they really need to know is happening right outside their window, right there in their neighborhood, right in their own hearts. It postulated that what they pick up from the news media (and social media) is mostly pointless, often not true and has no real relevance on their life. Except for the blocks it erects between them and the field of infinite potentiality.
Ignoring and discounting things like the stars, the plants, and the sliver of a waxing moon, whose cycles affect everything from tides to fiddler crabs to our sleep habits, blinds us to a major force of energy that we could and should be using in our favor. Being disconnected from the natural world wreaks havoc on our bodies. Ignoring things that affect us deeply and slavishly following things that have little or no impact causes stress, depression, and anxiety.
If we want to create more energy and therefore more “bandwidth” for a joyful life, we must begin to pay attention to things that matter. And let go of all the things that don’t.
Here’s to the Ethiopian goat herder, coffee and all of us that trust that the only thing that really matters is the indestructible joy and pulse of life being broadcast from every tree, every star, every bird on the planet, those that know real life is created from being in tune with the universal broadcast, the sacred buzz.
#222 Forever!
Pam Grout is the author of 22 books including E-Squared, Thank & Grow Rich , The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World)and her latest, The Ego’s Playbook.
14 Responses
Thank you so much for this reminder!🙏🏼🥰🌷
Thank you, goat herder! I appreciate you!
I’m wondering how the title connects to the article. Otherwise, this blog really caught my attention. It reinforces my belief about staying out of the fray even though I can get pulled in. Nature for the win.
I too needed this reminder! Thanks!!!
Oh My! Thank you so much for reminding us that all we need is outside our front door! ❤️
Pam, you are a Rock Star! Thank you
Hi Pam,
Love your column, it’s always so refreshing and real. I haven’t watched the news in 15 years, it’s full of horrible stories which I can do nothing about. I spend a lot of my time restoring old furniture which would otherwise have gone to tip, and time in nature enjoying the peace it brings me.
Keep up your wonderful column, it is so inspiring and thought provoking.
Much love
Shelley from Australia 🙏❤️
Pam, this aligns SO perfectly with my recent dive into the 13 Moon calendar. Talk about breaking away from “digital colonization”! moving from artificial time back to the natural 28-day cycle is the ultimate act of paying attention. This year is officially MY JAM. As a Kin 204 Yellow Solar Seed, I’m finally pulse-checking that “sacred buzz” you mentioned and letting my intentions flower. Also Pammy Sue, I did the math~ you’re Kin 260: Yellow Cosmic Sun. You are literally the “Final Boss” of the Tzolkin, the completion of the cycle and the universal fire itself. Of COURSE you are!
{{hedgehugs}} 🦔
You are the best I always come back to you
.you give me hope🙏♥️ please never stop writing
Blessings and love
Nancy kellis
My niece LEIGH KELLIS
HOLY DONUT
It’s been a cold winter on Long Island. I am so looking forward to getting back out on my nature walks. 💫 thank you for your inspirational messages Pam✨
I have been following this young lady for years and the article about WHY I BROKE UP WITH DR GOOGLE has really hit home. My wife and I have been married for some 61 years ( she was a widow when we married with 5 children) and I understand how true what other people especially the news media say is of little importance. Mary has a problem of remembering and sometimes forgets me but she always remembers things about our little Yorkie (by the way born in Siberia) which helps to keep things in this world in perspective.
I love you, Pam !
Thank you Pam for the excellent quotes, the fascinating story about the goat herder and his goats, and the wonderful reminder that a joyful, peaceful, meaningful life is always available and accessible to us when we tune into ‘The Universal Broadcast’ and trust the ‘Sacred Buzz’. Amen! Love ya Pam! 🥰
A beautiful reminder from you Pam. Thank you! 🐐❤️💫