Judy Todd, an inherent naturalist, activist grandmother, student of trees, mycelium and mushrooms, and an edge-walker between the human and non-human world, has guided people for over 20 years into a deeper connection with the natural world and all its kin. Living As Nature: Always & Ever Renewing, her second poetry book, is being rolled out this year.
What past event do you often reflect upon, and how that event change you?
No single event, but yes, some related types: programs offered by Animas Valley Institute, service work for several months at a time in Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica, on Whidbey Island in western Washington, on a summer kitchen cook job at age 52 at a fish camp in Naknek, Alaska, and finally joining the Great March for Climate Action for three months in 2014. Each was a step into unknown, uncharted waters for me, and that changed everything. Totally different, yet even more permanent is the additional of four grandchildren in my life, a regular opportunity for reflection. I have become more of myself as a result of these experiences – all following a divorce in 1991 after a 25-year marriage I thought was my permanent life. Ha!
How does your work add to the quality of your life?
My work is my play, my hobby and my delight. It hasn’t always been so, for there was a long period of necessary employment to fund my lifestyle. That also changed dramatically as I downsized and removed credit cards and monthly payments from my life in the mid-90’s. I now find my work, paid and unpaid, encourages and allows me to expand my mind, my friendships, my exploration and travel. It adds qualities of connection as I share stories and grow my compassion and patience, offering challenges, joys and surprises. It often contributes to those who join me as well — a bonus to my life.
Tell us a story you would like to share with the world.
One is the story of how the Great March for Climate Action changed me, my approach, my understanding of the power of Nature’s Laws compared to human laws, and my role into the future. Sleeping every night on a different place of Earth’s skin, walking into unfamiliar places, situations, communities, and opportunities opened my eyes to new “truths” I am free to live by. I learned that “making a difference” was not anything like what I had believed or acted on prior to this experience. It was personal and it was impersonal in the best of ways. I am still learning and practicing what I got, for the structures and culture of our time does not have much space for living within Nature’s boundaries.
Author photo: Courtesy of author.
Side bar image: Pixabay/Edar.
