08/05/26

Hello Forest Walkers, Deep Breathers, Gentle Revolutionaries, and Builders of Inner Fortitude.

I came across a term today that hit me like a resounding gong. While also helping me to understand something more clearly.

The Facebook algorithm pushed into my feed someone by the name of Mallory McDuff. Of course she is a writer and lives in Asheville, NC. (I’m increasingly impressed with how dialed in the FB algorithm can be in connecting like-minded people together).

Well, turns out that Mallory’s post that I read this morning mentioned another author named Elizabeth Oldfield. Elizabeth’s writings can be found at morefullyalive.substack.com.

Here’s what stood out to me. Elizabeth wrote a very thought-provoking piece about practices for “inner prepping.” She goes on to describe inner prepping much like the term refers to when people are preppers and ultimately make time to prepare for the potential of tough times.

This is exactly the crystal clear term to describe the wildhearted work since it began last year. The whole point of this work is to challenge us all to implement practices to cultivate our inner landscapes.

So that when times get tough (like what hurricane helene brought to our doors in 2024 and the covid years and like the political turmoil that seems to be serpentining around us) we can rest in the knowing that we will remain solid, strong and maintain our sense of calm in the proverbial storm.

Inner prepping. Gosh I like this term so much!

Much like preparing for a trip where we might set out our clothes and gather up our toiletries and match our shoes to our days ahead. All the hundreds of details we access and organize in preparation for a trip.

If we choose to create and include daily practices that strengthen our inner terrain, introduce an understanding of fortitude and a resilient knowing that we can in fact do hard things if and when they arrive...we are less likely to fall prey to our minds proneness to jump to worst-case-scenario-fears.

But these things don’t just happen. It’s takes planning and preparation. And well, quite frankly, daily practices with intention to cultivate our deepest possible knowing of the truths we carry within us.

Is why we respond so well to walking in the forest, sitting by the mountain stream, participating in a drum circle, attending a sound bath, taking 20-45 minutes each day to meditate and on and on.

Spiritual practices I call these. Because much like physical exercise benefits our bodies, spiritual practices benefits our heart and soul.

And I’ll take a wild guess that if you are reading this...you get it too.

Elizabeth Oldfield much more eloquently discusses this topic of practices for “inner prepping” here on her substack.
​Click here if you’d like to read it.​

In the meantime, I’d love to hear what practices you find help you strengthen your inner terrain.

Me? A morning practice of yoga and meditation has completely revolutionized my days this Summer.

Of course, you already know that I regularly go out into the forest, whether it’s to hike or to kayak or to sit by the stream. This practice is almost daily and is as necessary to me as breathing air.

And yes of course, I too am tweaking and making adjustment as I walk the path.

Long live Nature, outdoor lovers, deep thinkers, problem solvers and light holders along the path.

Namaste.

Wild-Heart Practice of the Week:

Pack your inner backpack.

Just as you would gather food, water, extra layers, and a map before heading into the mountains, spend a few minutes this week gathering what prepares your inner life.

Ask yourself:

• What practice helps me return to the present moment?
• What reminds me that I can do hard things?
• What helps me find solid ground when life feels uncertain?

Write down five practices that strengthen your inner terrain.

Perhaps it's a morning meditation, a walk beneath the trees, journaling, yoga, prayer, paddling a quiet river, calling a trusted friend, or simply watching the sunrise without your phone.

Then choose just one to practice every day this week.

And in doing this you’re be preparing to meet life with a steadier heart.

🎧 Deepen the Practice...

This week's reflection is only the beginning.

If you'd like to continue exploring awareness, presence, and inner listening, I invite you to spend some time with my guided meditations.

[Enter the Meditation Library]

I’m honored you’re here on this journey with me.

Field Notes is a weekly pause.
A clearing in the noise.
A place to notice what stirs your heart — one story, one breath, one truth at a time.

If this note resonated, share it with someone who might need a little reminder of connection, joy, or the power of sending love out into the world.

Until next time.

Namaste,
​Rachel

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