Into the Woods

A tender moment, where hope is alive and well.

Apr 23, 2025

Permission to Chill is an invite to fully receive this moment. Will you accept it? Sit down with me. High up in the Hocking Hills of Southwest Ohio. In years past we’ve led profound retreat experiences here. We even once had to exorcise an extremely haunted, Scooby Doo cabin. That’s a spooky-ass story for another time.

In this forest, the gentler, quiet spirits walk. Bright green moss-covered rocks rise like cathedrals from the river. Hundred foot waterfalls rain down on you. There is a deep sense of love, wonder, and gratitude. The same filtered light the indigenous must’ve felt. Thank God their presence still lives here. My mind vanishes down these trails, up into these rocks. As an 80’s kid, the woods were our only refuge from the suburban sprawl. Once again I’m that timid latchkey kid. Smiling quietly to myself, quite literally no better place to be.

A Precious Moment (*not the hideous figurines)

We rented a cabin for their Spring break. Leon (13), Frankie Jane and her boyfriend Quinn (both 16). On Easter our kids and I had a really special moment. As we entered the main passage into Hocking Hills State Forest, so many great memories came flooding back. Guiding retreat guests, current and past clients across the bridges, then down into hollowed tunnels through the rocks. On one bridge, a happy young couple stopped ahead of us. The guy looked awkwardly at his phone, realizing a selfie wouldn’t capture the full scene. I offered to snap it, grabbing his phone then jogging to the ideal vantage point.

This sweetheart, and his sweetheart. He said: “Wait. We need one more important one.” He reached into his pocket as he got down on one knee! I took a video of their lifetime moment. His woman was so giddy with smiles, tears, and hugs. A small crowd erupted downriver when he yelled: “She said YES!” Our kids were awestruck. Leon must’ve brought it up 5 times throughout the day. “I can’t believe we were a part of that!”

I wonder how many sacred moments are lost in our head trash.

It could have easily been the couple behind us who took their pic. The real gift we received was the hope of new beginnings. Of a life ahead together, versus the grief of my marriage ending. There were only smiles. The most earnest hope, washing through the canyon. Wherever the river carries us, its basin is carved by hope.

The Best Times.

My daughter mentioned her boyfriend had been struggling mentally lately. He’s such a sweet, helpful kid, you would never know it. (If we’re being honest, aren’t we all?) He reminds me so much of my younger self. A floppy puppy on roller skates, who doesn’t realize how big he is. In my own Dadness, I struggled during the trip to not get caught up in work. The pressures and should’s of hitting pause— versus the ever-present need to be “providing” (whatever that means). Permission to Chill is often granted by no other choice. May as well surrender into having good, clean fun in the magical woods. This comment thread made my whole trip worth it.

The Point of my Trip

I’ll be in DC through the weekend, our biannual retreat and meetings with my fellow Board of Directors for Yoga Alliance. They’ve asked me to present my India pilgrimage Love Goes Before Us. I packed some little surprises with serious spiritual punch to welcome our new board. #ONWARD.