The Quiet Solitude of Listening Point

The Sounds of Burntside Lake in the Boundary Waters, Minnesota

As I write from my campsite in the Minnesota Northwoods, not far from where renowned environmentalist Sig Olson once led canoe expeditions and welcomed guests to his cabin, I can’t help but wonder if some of his energy was embodied in last night’s powerful thunderstorm. But as the storm subsided and the sun graced the horizon, the serene calls of loons filled the air, transporting me to a place of awe and wonder. In that moment, a wave of memories from my extraordinary journey swept over me.

• The lone bighorn sheep peering from the edge of the campground as the sun rose in Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park.

• Javelinas emerging at twilight in Texas' Lake Corpus Christi State Park.

• The rushing sounds of the Virgin River, crackling campfire accompanying me at Zion National Park in Utah.

• A playful manatee rocking my kayak at Florida's Blue Spring State Park.

• The breathtaking views and exhilarating winds as I conquered the peak of New Hampshire's Mount Washington.

• Wild turkeys bidding me farewell with a majestic strut as I departed California's Anthony Chabot Regional Park.

• The dance of the full moon over the Gulf of Mexico, waves caressing the beaches of South Padre Island, Texas.

This journey has been nothing short of magical. Yet, as I revel in the wonders of our world, I can't help but feel a sense of concern for our planet's future. With the rise in devastating fires and floods, are we the last generation to recall a time when natural disasters were extraordinary occurrences? Perhaps, if each of us found our own listening point – a place to truly immerse ourselves in the majesty and splendor of nature – we would awaken to the urgency of preserving our home.

In this Nature Listening Points newsletter, I’m sharing videos that offer a glimpse into the beauty that surrounds us. They offer a peek into my personal journey, which, at times, has felt like a spiritual awakening. I invite you to discover your own listening point and return to it frequently. Let it become your sanctuary, where your body, mind, and soul find solace, and where your priorities become crystal clear. It is through these simple acts of connecting with nature that we may shape the future of our world.

So, with that, let us begin this incredible journey by showcasing the quiet serenity of Sid Olson's cherished listening point. Turn up the volume and let the soothing lapping of the water against the shore wash over you. Listen closely, and you may catch the distant rumble of thunder and the gentle hum of insects. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the natural symphony.

I named this place Listening Point because only when one comes to listen, only when one is aware and still, can things be seen and heard. Everyone has a listening-point somewhere . . . some place of quiet where the universe can be contemplated with awe.

 - Sigurd F. Olson, Listening Point (University of Minnesota Press, 1958, p. 8).

Welcome!