Shifts

Written By Dana Martin

Praise the River.

I am the River.

The River runs and moves forward, over obstacles, no matter what. The River has force, movement and strength. The river changes color depending on what’s in it or how the light strikes it. The light sees through.

Dana Martin

(Journal Prompt by Mary Reynolds-Thompson, Nature Talks)

This has been a week of contemplation and excitement that can only be described as a shift. It feels hopeful and scary at the same time. And I'm wondering if I am more open and allowing these shifts and transitions to happen. I have connected this week with Florence Williams, author of the Nature Fix and Heartbreak. And, I had the fortune of sharing a heartwarming discussion with Tamarack Song and Lety Seibel of the Healing Nature Center in Wisconsin. Crossing paths with these three individuals carried such meaning and overlap as we continue to build connection and community at Dogwood Healing Pathways. The running thread throughout this week was water, especially on personal reflection. Images of water, along with my many experiences with waterfalls, creeks, oceans and lakes, kept popping up. I have canoed, kayaked, rafted, sailed, skied and paddle boarded (with a marginal attempt at surfing) on water over my lifetime. I have swam out beyond the waves of Virginia Beach, VA, to train for sprint distance triathlons in my 20’s to encounter dolphins swimming alongside me. I have ridden many a’ waves growing up going to the Outer Banks of NC every summer as a child/teen. More recently, I have hiked hundreds of miles, whether solo, with my partner or in groups alongside water in the woods…so much water.  The creeks and waterfalls beckon us to stop, look and feel. I have camped alongside mountain lakes and felt the peace of waking up to the air moving across the water. 

The scary, maybe, is allowing the shift to happen, and, the unknowing. This unknowing space can be uncomfortable, but necessary for moving through. Water meets challenges and adjusts. Water has provided a place of solace and contemplation.  At the same time, some of my most exhilarating and terrifying experiences have been on water. Water can be white and rushing or can be cool and calm.  Water can be still which brings the pink, white and yellow water lilies. A favorite spot to paddle board has been around Lake Cunningham here in Greenville, SC. I compare this to my own experience of times that I stop and just trust the process.  These are the times of such growth and opportunity. The lilies grow, only when the water is still. These are times I am reminded to go inward and trust that I am exactly where I need to be. 

“I want to live within the rush of primal, intuitive decision, yet also wish to sit and contemplate. This is the messiness of life - that we all carry multitudes, so must sit with the shifts. We are complicated creatures, and ultimately, the balance comes from this understanding. Be water. Flowing, flexible and soft. Subtly powerful and open. Wild and serene. Able to accept all changes, yet still led by the pull of steady tides. It is enough.” 

Victoria Erickson


Dana Martin

Dana has her Bachelor’s in Psychology from James Madison University and her Master’s in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has her licensure in Clinical Social Work and has been a practicing psychotherapist for the last 13 years. Prior to that she was home raising her two daughters. During that time she volunteered teaching English as a second language to native Spanish speakers. She also volunteered teaching Spanish at a Montessori school and directed a project to fund and build a five senses garden at a local elementary school. 

Dana has spent the last 13 years providing psychotherapy to adolescents and adults.  She has specialized over the years in resilience and growth following traumatic events. Dana has also used journaling and mindfulness as modalities.  Women’s empowerment has been at the forefront of her practice given the unique challenges they face.  

Dana began hiking and trail running 6 years ago.  She found this time to be healing and therapeutic. Dana now endeavors to provide opportunities for growth and healing in nature.

Dana and Mary have combined their efforts and passion to provide women’s empowerment programs in nature through hiking, camping, backpacking and retreats.

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