The Compass

WOW!

A classic symbol of winter, the spiky icicles hanging from the igloo-like cave in our featured photograph were taken in summer by Scott Hensley (featured below).

Icicles form under what might be called creation's perfect conditions as the weather must be just so. If the sun's rays are too warm, water dripping from melting snow or ice will slip into the water. If the weather is too cold, no water will drip at all.

Creation's artistry is also apparent in the hallmark ripples that run down the side of some icicles. Each ripple has the same wavelength or distance — about a centimeter — between its peaks. Wonderfully, imperfections or impurities entrapped within forming icicles create chevron patterns that contribute to the nearly universal likeness of the resulting ripples.

MAKE A HUMAN-HABITAT CONNECTION

The term patterns of inclusion, used to describe how icicle ripples are formed, is also used to describe the imperfections in diamonds. Consider the term patterns of inclusion in contemplating one or more of the following prompts.

How might your imperfections be like diamonds — your true gems?
Think of someone who, knowing your imperfections, makes you feel included. What, if any, ripple effect has it had on your life?
Consider wandering in nature and collecting small items to freeze in a water bowl to create your unique inclusion pattern.

GET YOUR FREE COMPASS WOW! RESOURCE HERE.

Begin the new year with a greater appreciation for the gifts the natural world has to offer with

our simple Compass WOW! reflection resource. Use it once or as whenever nature calls to you.

TRUE NORTH: SCOTT HENSLEY

Scott Hensley spreads the spirit of peace by introducing people to the ancient contemplative practice of labyrinth walking. "Labyrinth walking speaks to me. It puts me in touch with my inner compass and brings me the peace I strive to share," he says.

In addition to offering labyrinth walks around the Las Vegas Valley, Scott's has photographed nearly 400 labyrinths across the southwest and led a labyrinth walk on the northernmost waters of the world. While on a Disney Arctic Expedition, Scott unfurled his portable labyrinth on the ship's deck. Thirty of the ship's 100 guests took advantage of the opportunity to mindfully walk its meandering path while ogling a stunning landscape of ice flows.

You can learn more about Scott, his arctic journey, and the ancient practice of labyrinth walking here (pdf) or on our website blog here.

National Bird Day. Friday, January 5 is a day to honor birds for their beauty, for their role as ecosystem engineers capable of helping maintain the balance of nature, and as barometers of planetary health. Find the Las Vegas Sun's list a few local bird watching sites here.

DRI Science at the Springs. DRI is offering a new multimedia, science storytelling series that explores environmental research, personal narratives, and climate solutions. In the series, scientists and other guests address some of the world's most urgent concerns, while also telling the tale of what it means to live in Nevada on the front lines of a changing climate. Ticket information here.

Where are You Wandering? Whether in the deserts of Nevada or elsewhere, share positive, life-affirming nature photographs you take while wandering this winter. Join us on Facebook here or tag us on Instagram at @the_compass_point

Behold the Beauty. Are you on Instagram? Check out of the awe-inspiring snow art of Simon Beck. Trekking and carving with his feet, Beck has created more than 370 colossal, intricate designs in snow fields around the world. You can also watch a Today show news story on Beck here.

THE COMPASS is a geographic, archetypal community asset that supports the mutual thriving of humans, habitats, and economies. It envisions creating places for grounding in and with nature. These places — Compass Points — fashioned of flat rocks etched with core value words like compassion, resilience, hope, and peace, will provide opportunities for rest, reflection, and renewal of our energies while nurturing an appreciation of and attentiveness to the thriving of the natural world.

INVITE OTHERS. Help grow awareness for The Compass and our email subscriptions by forwarding this month's email to a friend or sharing our email address: https://the-compass.constantcontactsites.com

For a time, I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

WENDELL BERRY

The Compass sends monthly inspirational emails and a quarterly newsletter. Our next newsletter will drop in February. In the meantime, learn more about the Compass prototype to be built this Spring by reading our last newsletter Link.

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