Wildness and Rhythm

If harmony is a human need, then it must also be a foundation—something we build upon, not just aspire to.

In my years of working with children outdoors, I saw how harmony wasn’t just a musical concept—it was a living condition that made everything else possible. Whether we were gathering under redwoods, exploring tide pools, or singing together in open air, harmony allowed children to feel connected, curious, and free to engage with the world around them.

When harmony was present, even the wildness of nature became a classroom. When it was missing—when disconnection or tension crept in—our time together lost its rhythm, and learning became harder to sustain.

People often associate wildness with chaos—unruly behavior, unpredictability, or danger. But wildness also lives in the sweetness of a fresh raspberry, the strength of a salmon swimming upstream, or the quiet awe we feel in a redwood forest. It’s something we seek out on vacations, in gardens, and in moments of wonder. This is the kind of wildness I want to lead readers toward—not chaos, but the kind that nourishes, awakens, and restores.

What forms of wildness in your life bring you back to curiosity, awe, and connection?