BE WITH NATURE

I was recently at a medical conference in San Diego and though it had a great energy of people, like any other conference, we spent much of the time sitting in a dark room listening to lectures. However, being the active person that I am, I took time during lunch one day to go for a quick swim in the bay. Worried that I’d be late for the afternoon talks, I hurried out of the water back onto the sandy beach. But just as I was about to step back onto the concrete, I felt something pulling me back as I suddenly became acutely aware of the sand beneath my bare feet. I wasn’t ready to leave the sun and warmth to go back inside. Not just yet.

My body slowed as I allowed myself to sense everything around me, utterly and completely. I buried my feet into the warm sand, feeling the fine softness of the earth as every grain trickled between my toes. My body radiated a light glow from the tender warmth of the sun. I listened to the gentle breeze brushing against the palms and the small waves lapping onto the beach. I breathed in the mild salty air from the bay. My shoulders dropped… My breath deepened… I closed my eyes and just breathed… As I stood there experiencing, I was gently reminded of the beauty and perfection of this thing we call LIFE. And for that moment, I felt it. I felt it penetrate deep into my soul and spirit. I felt it fill and embrace every inch of me. What I felt was… peace, joy, warmth, wholeness, LOVE.

I carried that feeling with me as I opened my eyes and stepped back onto the concrete, now ready to continue the day with renewed meaning and intention.

Perhaps you’ve had a similar experience when you’ve lost yourself in space and time, alone yet connected to everything around you. And if you haven’t had this sort of awakening, I invite you to experience it. Go out into nature, wherever it may be—the beach, the mountains, the forest, the canyons, the river, etc—and indulge in your senses. Allow yourself to carry this newfound profundity with you back into everyday life.

There is research to support that being in nature is healing to the body, mind, and spirit by increasing positive emotions. Here are some ways to get in touch with nature, even if it’s difficult to be outdoors:

  1. Garden
  2. Exercise outside.
  3. Have a picnic in a park.
  4. Go for a walk in the forest.
  5. Cultivate indoor plants.
  6. Look at natural scenery, whether it’s looking out a window or looking at pictures.

Now go. Experience. Feel. BE with nature.

If you need more help on how to connect with nature, please feel free to send me a message here.

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