Nature inspiration: The Potomac River

By Sarah Brousseau 

Last week I headed down to the C & O Canal National Park to hike along the Potomac River and see the Great Falls waterfall. This was the first time I had ever really gone hiking on my own and let me tell you, I absolutely loved it. Walking alone through the forest and beside the riverbeds I was able to clock in some necessary “me time.” I spent it thinking, questioning, wondering, sight seeing, and of course, nature gazing.

 While strategically stepping over rocks and dodging tiny jumping toads, I attempted to maintain my curiosity and wonder of everything around me. However, this duality of watching where you're going and continuously taking in all that surrounds you is really difficult. For me, it  really enforced the practice of balance, something of which we all need to master. We cannot do just one — for, if we only gaze up at the sky in amazement, we may step on a newly budded plant or squash a toad in mid-jump. Or if we only stare down with our eyes glued to the ground, we will miss the beauty that rains above. This balance of seeing both the micro and macro elements of the world is something we deal with every single day.

How do we care for the world around us while still fueling our own needs?

We must find a balance.

If you’ve enjoyed these thoughts, check out an extended version on my personal blog: the beauty of a continuous journey.

Sarah Brousseau is a recent graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art, now living and working in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a painter and printmaker, primarily interested in geometric abstractions and hand-crafted design. With a free spirit and a love of organic food, Sarah is on the search to find the beauty in our everyday journeys. You can follow her on her personal website, Instagram and Facebook!

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