Beyond the Backyard: Finding Perspective in the Mud and the Magic
There is a specific kind of stillness that exists in a Tennessee morning, a damp, heavy quiet that smells of wet earth and ancient cedar. Growing up, that mud wasn’t just dirt to me, it was a kingdom. I remember my Aunt teaching me the fine art of "playing in the mud," a lesson that had very little to do with getting messy and everything to do with paying attention. She showed me that if you sat still enough, the world at your feet would begin to move. A beetle became a knight in shimmering armor, a mossy rock became a mountain, and a tiny green tree frog became the most courageous explorer in the jungle.
That childhood wonder is the heartbeat of my debut children’s book, The Great Green Leap, which is officially making its way to Amazon this week.
The Lesson of the Dewdrop
In the story, we meet Barnaby. He is a small frog with a very big problem. Through a series of accidental hops, he finds himself ripped away from his familiar "backyard jungle" and thrust into what he calls the "Indoor Desert," a place of slippery marble floors and giants that tower like blue pillars.
As I wrote Barnaby’s journey, I found myself leaning into a philosophy that has become a cornerstone of my own life: mind over matter. When we face chronic illness, grief, or the overwhelming transitions of midlife, our world can suddenly feel as cold and sterile as that "Indoor Desert." We feel small, out of place, and powerless against the giants of our circumstances.
But Barnaby’s secret, and the lesson I wanted to share with my children and grandchildren, is that our perspective is the only thing we truly own. When Barnaby is scooped up by a "Giant," he doesn't just see a hand; he sees a vessel that allows him to touch the sky. He realizes that "the Great Glass Portal" isn't a barrier, but a gateway. By shifting his mindset from fear to curiosity, a terrifying fall becomes a triumphant flight.
Bridging the Generations
I’ve spent much of my life balancing the roles of mother, grandmother, and professional, often putting my own creative "leaps" on the back burner. But like the intricate stitches of a crochet blanket, life has a way of coming together one loop at a time. My grandmother’s cooking taught me that the best things take time and heat; her crochet taught me that even the most complex patterns are built from simple, repetitive movements.
Writing this book as Bell Ramos was my own version of a great green leap. It was a way to take the wisdom passed down from my Aunt and my grandmother and package it into something that my grandchildren could hold in their hands. It is a reminder to them, and to myself, that no matter how big the world seems, or how small we feel within it, we are never truly stuck. We are all just one brave hop away from a brand-new vantage point.
The Jungle Never Looks the Same
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When Barnaby finally returns to his weeping willow branch, he looks back at the house and realizes it isn't a cavern of golden light anymore. It’s just a "big, quiet box." He hasn't changed, but his world has grown.
That is my wish for everyone who reads this story. I hope it serves as an empowering reminder that our challenges don't define us, but our response to them does. We can choose to hide under the broad-leaf fern, or we can climb to the highest branch and watch the world from the sky.
I am so incredibly proud to share this journey with you. Whether you are a parent looking for a bedtime story that sparks courage or a fellow traveler seeking a bit of "mind over matter" inspiration, I hope Barnaby finds a place in your heart.
The Great Green Leap Available NOW!
Thank you for supporting this piece of my heart; it means the world to Barnaby and me!
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Catch you in the next one,
Bell Ramos 🌿
#UnscriptedParadox #BellRamos #SimplySouthern
Ready to explore the world through a new lens? Be sure to read the full post: Beyond the Backyard: Finding Perspective in Every Horizon.
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