Welcome to the Garden, my friend!
The Garden (which has an energy all its own) intends to be a refuge for human souls feeling battered by life's experiences. It is a space where you can rest and recharge for a while, gathering tools, techniques, and strategies to live more peacefully, abundantly, and joyfully throughout this human experience.
I’m honored and grateful you are here! And if you resonate with the work I do here, I invite you to become a subscriber. Either way, I’m glad you are here!
Hello, my friend! I hope this finds you well on this beautiful Tuesday morning.
We’re continuing our journey through the alphabet together. Today, we’re meandering through the letter “n” for “nature’s gifts.”
As always, our topic is centered on cultivating more joy and fulfillment in our lives, but today, we’re venturing out into the great outdoors and exploring the transformative power connecting with nature has on our human bodies.
Imagine, if you will, that you’re standing at the edge of a tranquil forest. You can hear the leaves rustling in the breeze and the birds singing sweetly overhead. Taking a deep breath (and possibly coughing if you contend with seasonal allergies like DW does), you inhale the crisp morning air.
Taking several more steps out beyond the tree line, you see before you a beautiful garden. Everything is in bloom - all at once - and at the center, you see a creek gently flowing through it.
You take another deep breath, and you feel a sense of calm wash over you. This is the feeling of truly being alive and connecting with something so much bigger than yourself. This is the energy of the Garden.
And the creek? Is the wellspring of love that
described in her comment on my L Is For Love post yesterday.“I imagine that Love is the waters that flow through your mystic garden, creating nourishment for your divine flowers (words) to grow.”
~
But many are avoidant of actually connecting with nature. Whether it’s due to allergies, fears (i.e., getting stung, bitten, or eaten), or a distaste at the lack of their creature comforts, they may still wonder how being out in nature and connecting with it can actually lead us to experience that rush of joy and fulfillment in-person.
Here are a few key ways:
Being out in nature helps us to restore balance in our lives and in our bodies.
In our fast-paced world, it’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, where noise pollution, screens, and other distractions constantly bombard us.
Connecting with nature offers us a respite from the chaos—a chance to slow down, unplug, and reconnect with the earth's natural rhythms, which are inherent to our biological human “suits.”
By immersing ourselves in the sights, sounds, and sensations of the natural world, we restore balance to our bodies, minds, and spirits, thus returning ourselves to greater states of peace and well-being.Connecting with nature cultivates within us feelings of awe and wonder.
DW and I are nature nuts. (Especially DW!) Both of us were raised that way. So, living in suburbia within a busy tourist area where the houses are really close together, and the fauna is what humans have decided “should” be there rather than what Source intended really isn’t a good fit for us.
Being here is a choice we’ve made for our family, and we get out into natural spaces every chance we get, but it’s not always enough. So, we do our best to cultivate (and lure) nature within/to our environment, particularly by feeding the wildlife.
We sit out on the back patio every chance we get. It’s easy, especially when we start up into the night sky (even amidst the light pollution), to feel a sense of awe and wonder wash over us.
The crows, the ducks, and even the cowbirds that come to visit us… There’s just something magical and even humbling about knowing that they chose to visit us.
Sure, it’s the food (i.e., seeds, peanuts, and grapes) that we share with them that lure them into our space, but interacting with them helps to remind us of the sheer wonder and magic of life itself. It helps us to cultivate a sense of wonder that fills our hearts with joy and appreciation. (In other words, it makes our Inner Children giddy.🥰 )Nature has a way of bringing us into the present moment, thus nurturing mindfulness.
Whether it’s the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind, the soothing sound of flowing water, or the vibrant colors of a blooming flower, connecting with nature invites us to be fully present and engaged with the world around us.
We can practice mindfulness through hiking, gardening, or simply sitting quietly in a park (or on the patio). Through these practices, we can cultivate a deeper sense of presence and awareness that enriches our lives and will enhance our overall well-being.Nature has a way of connecting us not only to the earth but to ourselves and each other.
Whether it’s through shared experiences like camping trips, nature walks, picnics in the park, or spending alone time on a rock in quiet contemplation, connecting with nature deepens our sense of connection and belonging - both to ourselves and to the Universal ALL.Connecting with nature offers a myriad of physical health benefits that contribute to our overall sense of well-being and vitality.
Whether it’s the health benefits of hiking or the stress-reducing effects of simply being out in nature, connecting with the natural world supports our physical health and spiritual vitality in countless ways - all of which lead to greater energy, resilience, and overall happiness.
So, my friend, what is YOUR favorite way to connect with nature and what benefits do you notice by doing so? I would love for you to share your experiences in the comments.
Until next time, take care and be well!
Sending you so much love, light, and BIG squishy hugs,
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Your garden is a beautiful place to walk in. Your picture took my breath away...(something magical about canva I may have to learn about!)
I loved the softness and the tenderness, the gentle images you shared in your words.
Much love 🐸🦋🌈