Thriving in chaos

Over the weekend, at the Texas Wild Rice Festival, I got to hear Dr. Jim Kimmel give a talk about what you can learn from a river -- how people and the environment interact with each other. About 100 years ago, along the stretch of the river now known as Sewell Park, a man with an augur would come through and plow up the vegetation growing in the waters, including the Texas Wild Rice, to make the area more welcoming for the many swimmers that visited it. Once it was discovered that the rice was an endangered species, it of course became illegal to plow it up. However, once the rice was protected by law, it thinned out. When it was being plowed up regularly, it always grew back, and always thicker and than before. After a major flood in 1998, during which the river basically dredged itself, the wild rice once again came back stronger than it was during the years of calm. Some species, Dr. Kimmel said, need a certain amount of chaos to thrive, to reach their potential strength.

The San Marcos River at Sewell Park, with Texas Wild Rice waving in the water

I think people are another species that need a degree of unrest in order to grow. The only way we are ever really challenged is through difficulty -- coping with crisis, tragedy or trauma. To survive, we have no choice but to grow stronger. But at the same time, we need a secure base -- like a riverbed -- to stay rooted in. That base can be family and friends, a broader community, a sense of faith, or even something as basic as the knowledge that we have a roof over our heads and know where our next meal is coming from. This is true for emotional growth, spiritual growth and artistic growth. I don't like to play into the idea that suffering is necessary for art, but exploration and adventure may be. The strange, the unexpected, the daunting experiences that life has to offer -- a certain amount of chaos. Don't be afraid to let yourself get cut down a little. You'll grow back stronger than before.

A celebration of nature and community along the San Marcos River

The Texas Wild Rice Festival was held here in San Marcos this weekend -- an ambitious undertaking inspired by the San Marcos River, which is home to several endangered species and is the centerpiece of the oldest continuously inhabited spot in North America. Texas Wild Rice only grows in one place on earth: the upper 3 miles of the San Marcos River -- the segment of the river that flows through town.

I grew up here in San Marcos, and like so many other native "San Martians" have developed a love for the river that is both ecological and spiritual. While some people go to church to get in touch with the divine, for me there is no more effective way to do that than to go down to the banks of the river, take off my shoes, stick my feet into the water and feel the pulse of the river as it pumps up through the springs upstream. Knowing that people have lived beside these waters for thousands of years makes it an easy spot to feel a sense of continuity, of connection with the ancient. Knowing that the river is home to unique species of plants and animals lends it a sense of wonder.

It warmed my heart to see so many people from so many different backgrounds coming together to celebrate all aspects of the river. Locals performed songs and poems about it, several different environmental groups were there to discuss water conservation and habitat preservation, a group representing the indigenous cultures was there to highlight the history of the area, artists were selling their wares inspired by nature in general and the river in particular. There was a drum circle, hoop dancing lessons, fire dancing lessons, yoga and breathwork sessions -- a multifaceted event that brought all kinds of people, from young hippies to more mature ecology experts, together for a common cause.

Plus the mayor, who had promised to float down the river in an inner tube wearing a suit if the organizers met their online fundraising goal, did just that. Who doesn't love a city official in a suit and red sneakers chillin' in the middle of the river?

San Marcos Mayor Daniel Guerrero, making good on a promise and wearing sensible footwear

When a group of people from diverse backgrounds find a common cause -- something to love, protect and celebrate -- wonderful things can happen. Strangers become friends, different groups working to address related issues come together and find ways to solve problems, and a true sense of community is born. I'm grateful to have seen that kind of unity manifest here in my home town, along the banks of the river that I -- and thousands of other people -- treasure so much.

Here are a few more pictures from the festival:

Near the Communi-Tea Area on the festival grounds

Handling critters!

Dr. Jim Kimmel sings and speaks about rivers

The Texas Horned Lizard Exhibit

Part of the Habitat Conservation Plan, an effort involving several entities
including the City of San Marcos and Texas State University

Festival Season in San Marcos!

It's my half-birthday! And I'm heading out this morning to spend most of the day at the Texas Wild Rice Festival at Sewell Park here in San Marcos. Music, art, yoga, tea, local vendors, environmental education, nature walks, a screening of the movie "Yakona" ... a little bit of everything will be going on, all because of some folks with an Indiegogo campaign and a dream. If you're in the neighborhood, check it out!