01/28/26

Greetings Wildhearted Friends….let’s take a breath together.

Our nervous systems took a big hit over the weekend. I felt all sorts of emotions while preparing for and experiencing the fluctuations of winter storm Fern. Yet as a dear friend of mine once said...two things can be true at the same time.

I felt...

Edgy but also Present
Frazzled but also Determined
Isolated but also Capable

It’s funny how comfortable we become in our comforts. Maybe we are out of practice regarding how we handle adversity on our very doorsteps? We take for granted the everyday things we have created our living systems around.

Coffee in the morning? Need coffee, water and a coffee maker or a pot to heat water...and electricity.

Have a well instead of city water? When the power goes out...you lose access to running water.

Heat? Well...you need a heat source. Be it firewood and a fireplace or electricity and a heater of some sort.

Simple...seemingly tiny details of life. Yet when suddenly the threat arrives...we scramble to figure out how to hold on tighter to these comforts. And in many ways...our scrambling is most likely futile. But we try. Boy do we try, because we’re human.

Of course it’s easier now to talk about these things after the storm. Dunno about you but my mind was swirling with all sorts of “what else should I be doing to prepare” sort of thoughts.
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​Even after doing everything “right” to prepare, my mind still found plenty of ways to spiral.

This time though...(with the experiences of Helene and the wildfires in my emotional movie reel) I also had some Jedi practices with which to center myself. Number one on the Jedi practice list was...breathe. Because it is through the breath that a simple doorway appears back into the now.

Our minds are sneaky little devils that try to derail our peace and drag us through muck and mire merely for its own entertainment. And if you’ve been following the Walk for Peace and have heard the message of the Monks...it’s this very thing. Mindfulness practice. Focus on the now. Focus on this step. And then the next one right after. Allowing your thoughts, yes. But letting them flow by while maintaining awareness in the here and now.

This is exactly why I create Wildhearted Gatherings and record guided-meditations and why I paint and why I feel so strongly about spiritual practices for grounding and heart expansion and coherence. We don’t have to go through life like an untethered ship with no navigation on board. But rather...we can set a course and then set sail on that journey.

Sure...there will be times the seas will become rough and we might lose a sail to the extreme winds that may arrive. But we can have our hearts at the helm...rather than our minds.

I do hope that by now...these many days after Fern...that your power is restored...and that your peace is renewed. I continue to learn a great many things as life unfolds here on Earth each day.

My quest…is to continue to learn and grow through my everyday experiences.
One blaze on the trail. One paddle stroke on the river. One breath at a time.

And I am grateful you are on this journey along with me.

Wild-Heart Practice of the Week:

“One Breath, One Step”

Practice: Whenever you notice your mind spinning, pause. Take one deep, full breath. Then, with your next movement—step, reach, or stretch—move intentionally, noticing the sensation in your body. Repeat 3–5 times.
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​Why it works: Anchors the nervous system, brings attention back to the present, reconnects mind and body.

Our First Wildhearted Gathering of 2026 — Now on Sunday, February 1st

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​A quick note: due to the winter storm, our gathering has been rescheduled to Sunday, February 1st.
If you feel called, I’d be delighted to share this circle with you.

ReWeaving: Mending the Divide between Soul-Self and Earth-Self​
​An invitation to align the ancient intelligence of your soul with the practical wisdom of your embodied self through sensory and guided experiences.

• When: Sunday, February 1, 2026 | 11am–1pm
• Where: Wellness and Movement Center, 1171 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville, NC
• Hosts: Rachel Dickson & Jaci Daley
• Seats / Price:$25 | Limited to 30 guests

Wear the Wild+v-neck options available!​
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​A few new designs wandered in and stayed.
​[Explore the Collection]

*Your support helps keep Rachel’s nature videos, soundscapes, and Wildhearted offerings alive.

Shop Wildhearted Coffee Mugs

Rachel’s original art, now on a mug!​
Grab your favorite before it’s gone.​
​ [View Mug​s]

*Your support helps keep Rachel’s nature videos, soundscapes, and Wildhearted offerings alive.
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Experience a Wildhearted Soundscape​
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​If you missed the last gathering — or want to revisit it — you can listen to the curated soundscape: a gentle layering of whale songs and crystal bowl harmonics, created to align your energy and foster inner calm. It’s a small way to carry the event’s grounding energy into your day.​
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[Listen / Download]
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I’m grateful you’re here, walking this Wildhearted path with me.
Field Notes arrives weekly, carrying whispers from the woods, the heart, and the rhythms of everyday life.

If this issue resonated, I’d love to hear from you. What small moments of presence, calm, or connection have you noticed this week? Hit reply and share—your note could be someone else’s spark.

Namaste,
​Rachel

P.S. Thank you for being here.

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🌿 Explore more meditations, writings, and wild-heart practices at RachelDickson.com​

🎬 If you haven’t yet, please take a few minutes and watch Rachel’s Tedx Talk → [view the full 18-min talk here]
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💌 In case you missed any past Field Notes, you can find the full collection here: → [View them all] ​
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