Being in Nature

Every time I have ever felt stuck in my life, my mom has always told me to write down a list of the things that make me happy. I guarantee that every journal I've ever had (and there a lots and lots of them) has at least one "happiness list" in it. On every single list I have written some form of, "Spending time in nature."

Being outside is my happy place. I feel more grounded, more connected, more content, and well...happy, when I am outside. There are several things that I try to do every time I go outside.

First, I always breathe deeply through my nose. Breathing is one of the things that I feel the most grateful for in life. I love that it is both voluntary and involuntary. You can choose to notice it and take part in it. Or if you forget to be present, your body takes care of you for you. I even have the word BREATHE tattooed on my wrist in the ancient Irish alphabet, Ogham.

Second, I try to let some part of my bare body touch the earth. Usually, it's my feet on the ground, but it could be my hands on a tree trunk or brushing a plant or flower, and sometimes it's laying my whole body on the ground.

And lastly, I spend a moment in gratitude. Every time I take a moment to become fully present while I am outside, gratitude naturally wells up in me. By taking time to actively put that gratitude out there, I believe that I am in some small way, contributing to the kind of world I want to live in. Gratitude is one of those things that the more you focus on it, the more things you begin to notice you have to be grateful for.

Being in nature is so simple. It doesn't have to mean hiking to beautiful waterfalls or driving to far away trails. It can be as simple as walking outside into your lawn or local green space or sitting outside while you drink your morning water or coffee. And if you live in a big city where "nature" doesn't seem readily available, it could just mean being present and aware when you are outside to notice plants or flowers or animals or birds or bees, and spend a moment in gratitude.

To quote my favorite writer/poet, John O'Donohue:

"The earth is our origin and destination. The ancient rhythms of the earth have insinuated themselves into the rhythms of the human heart. The earth is not outside us; it is within: the clay from where the tree of the body grows.

When we emerge from our offices, rooms and houses, we enter our natural element. We are children of the earth: people to whom the outdoors is home. Nothing can separate us from the vigor and vibrancy of this inheritance.

In contrast to our frenetic, saturated lives, the earth offers a calming stillness. Growth and movement in nature take its time. The patience of nature enjoys the ease of trust and hope.

There is something in our clay nature that needs to continually experience this ancient, outer ease of the world. It helps us to remember who we are and why we are here."

Have a beautiful day!

Lindsay