Time and money. Can we ever loosen ourselves from the tyranny these two exert over our days, when so much of life is spent guarding against the loss or mismanagement of either? We push aside the yearning to use our time differently — to have some fun, to create, to rest a little more, to expand our horizons beyond what seems sensible — and instead pour our energy into securing enough money to see us through to the end of our mortal coil.
A couple of mornings ago, while making my first questionable choice of the day apropos both of these, I scrolled aimlessly through a well-known, short-form, visually rewarding social media platform — when I stumbled across something remarkable. Even our suboptimal decisions can lead to excellent outcomes. I learned that somewhere in the world, despite all the horror and turmoil of our times, there exists an awe-worthy cohort of people dressing themselves in splendour unlike anything I’ve seen on a runway or red carpet. They gather in the San Juan wilderness — to be mushrooms. Or fungi, to be exact. Also for knowledge and connection; but it was the outfits that stopped me in my tracks.
The very existence of the Telluride Mushroom Festival feels like living proof of the healing and expansive potential of psychedelic mushrooms — not only to soothe human distress, but to bring out the best in us: joy, imagination, devotion, play. A defiant celebration of nature’s ability to steady us, ease our aches, and remind us of what’s possible.
(Amazing pictures by Mycosteph)
It’s been happening for 45 years — who knew? One day, I hope to don my finest stuffed stocking and see it for myself. May we never lose sight of how much needs doing to heal and sustain our world. But I’m glad this is how some people spend some of their time. It feels like a sigh of relief and a statement of hope. Thank you to all the participants in the parade for being so silly and so clever.