I have been really enjoying walking through the bush early as the sun rises and having a quiet meditation. I am an observer…. a listener… a ponderer. Today I saw markings on so many trees… and I heard “Julie, dive into language”, over and over again. So I have!

These beautiful markings on the Scribbly gum (Eucalyptus Signata) reminded me of hieroglyphics; characters; symbols. I reflected on language and communication; how we as humans interact and express ourselves to one another – how I express myself; and how language is expressed in the natural world.

I thought about the many countries I have visited and the different languages I have heard and seen written – and as yet unsuccessfully tried to learn; (Mauricio has been a recent companion in my ears as I recommit to learning Spanish hehe.) I thought about how different sounds using various shapes of the mouth and positions of the tongue when combined together create words – sometimes understood; sometimes not understood; sometimes misunderstood. I recognised the importance of words.

Sometimes these words are joined together in a melodic way using the voice to create song. There is such power in the language of words and sound. I have experienced how the language of a song can move me greatly.

I reflected on the importance of language in communicating for the opportunity to express in truth who we are for ourselves; and also perhaps create understanding between people; so that truly meaningful connections can be experienced in honesty and authenticity.

I asked myself what language actually was. Perhaps verbal language; written language, body language. I then thought of love language – the language of gifts or gestures as a demonstration of the love and care you have for another. I wandered through my home and memory to recall how love language has been expressed to me; random gifts – special little things which have been given to me and I can hold gently as a reminder that someone truly cares about me; or love language where someone has gone out of their way to do or find something that they think I might like or make me happy… an act of generosity from themselves but also as a reflection of their love for me.

I reflected on my own body language and how I express myself physically in the world. I thought about the language of my words; my speech and how that has been affected after surgery on my lower lip. I reflected on what I write and to whom; and asked myself why it is important for me to write. I reflected on my visual language through my photography and art.

I reflected on language in the natural world. I listened to the birds. I often listen to the birds; the repetitive chirps, tweets, twitters of the smaller wrens and pardalotes; the squawks from the Channel Billed Cuckoo; the messages from the guttural crows and from the undulating cry of the black cockatoo. Their tones alter according to the time of day; season; weather; social circumstance… and messages I hear from them. Since I was a child I heard messages from the birds and other animals. It is difficult to explain; and some would not accept this is possible – yet I experience this, and although I have been the recipient of mocking and ridicule, I have also been in circumstances where those who have mocked me have been flabbergasted and publicly apologized when circumstances have confirmed what I have heard through language from the creatures of this planet. Sometimes I feel like I am in the wrong culture; and that I need to be in a culture where my gifts are embraced and revered. My task in honouring the language I hear from the natural world is to respect it as is done in cultures where the language from the natural world is not questioned and is an accepted part of existence.

I wandered through my mind and reflected on what language nourishes me; what language I like to use to express myself; and what language I like to receive as an expression of another. I realized that language must be a true expression of the essence of the individual so that language is truly nourishing and enriches life. I realised that the language I use must be a true expression of myself and in alignment with who I am.

I love words; speaking, writing, taking photographs; the language of my body moving by running, dancing, wildly making love. I realised that when I am creative and open, my language comes from a place of innateness and a place without filters. In that space my language; my words, my poems, the movement of my body speaks from a place beyond my thoughts and is an expression coming from my raw and intuitive Self. My inner messages; my wisdom; my personal voice and uniquenss is expressed when my language is authentic and honest. I have recognised that love language is important to me and I have recognised I celebrate my open lovingness in innocent and generous ways; and that I love to be a recipient of love language. These things all nourish me and enrich me; both in my expression of this language and being a recipient of another’s language.

I recognised two aspects of language; the first was a pure expression of myself – for no particular reason other than the language of perhaps ‘living’… and then the other aspect of language is where that ‘language of my living’ is met with another’s ‘language of their living’… and that meeting of  each other’s ‘language’ is where true communion resides. Perhaps that is why there is the word ‘commun–ication’.

So…. early this morning I looked at this beautiful marking and I heard “Julie, dive into language’, and I have shared here in my verbal and visual language what I connected with in relation to my language of living; and the importance of language in expressing my unique essence in authenticity so that I can live an enriched expressive life where there is meaningful and nourishing communion not only within myself – but with others as well. What sort of language do you use which enriches and nourishes you?