It had been a rough day of attempting to play the roles of teacher, mom and publisher simultaneously, from sun up to sun down. My mind raced with unfinished tasks, my patience seemed to be non-existent and my mood was weighed down by emotional overwhelm. As the kids were bathing I told Josh that I needed to go for a walk. I put a leash on our oldest dog and headed out into the neighborhood for a stroll in the dark. The cool air and change of scenery were refreshing, but I couldn’t shake the funk I was in.

About a quarter mile from our house, a glow of light caught my eye. By the time it registered that it was a firefly, I realized that the entire wooded lot in front of us was flickering with lights. From the ground to the canopy of the tall pine trees I could see a magical light show taking place. I stood mesmerized for several minutes, soon discovering that another lot behind me was putting on a similar display. Childhood memories of catching lightning bugs at my grandparent’s farm in the mountains of West Virginia flooded my mind. Finally, my head felt clearer and my heavy mood turned joyful.

As that experience lingers in my mind, I continue to draw inspiration from the symbolism of fireflies. Discovering their beautiful glow in the darkness brought a sense of hope and joy during challenging times. Unlike a light bulb which produces a lot of heat when it lights up, fireflies rely on bioluminescence, a chemical reaction inside their bodies which requires minimal energy. Their illumination patterns are precise and persistent as they communicate with potential mates. Knowing that their seemingly random light show is in fact a series of very efficient and intentional actions reminds me that I need to move through life more mindfully, focusing on just one thing at a time.

When challenges push us off balance and circumstances feel beyond our control, stress often prevails. While working on my own sense of balance last month, I was determined to fill the May issue of Natural Awakenings with accessible resources that foster health and well-being in this continued age of social distancing. In addition to eye-opening articles that have been in the works for months (“Healing the Immune System: Autoimmune Breakthroughs Offer New Hope” and “The Matrix of Life: Boosting Collagen for Better Health”), you’ll discover opportunities for practicing yoga at home, uplifting movies to watch, tips for maintaining mental health and a list of local parks and trails that are ready to be explored.

As we continue to work through these unfamiliar times, be on the lookout for firefly moments. Take time to bask in your own discoveries of wonder and awe, and recall those experiences as inspiration for weeks to come.

With Gratitude,

Meredith Montgomery, Publisher