I usually take my dog out for a short hike in the woods every day to “clear my mind” or so I thought. On my last couple of hikes, I found myself out in the woods with my head down and thinking about things in the past and future. Not clearing my mind, but rather adding more clutter and worries. This was made aware to me by a porcupine sitting in a low hanging hemlock branch that I almost walked into. He barely moved and just looked at me as if saying, “Wake up dude!”. This quickly brought my mind back to the present and this is why I enjoy being in nature. To be in the present and enjoy and learn what nature has to offer. That’s what it means to me to “clear my mind” and sometimes I forget that and need to be reminded. Thank you, Porcupine Buddy.