“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” ~John Muir
Has this ever happened to you? …Maybe while you were walking on the beach… or through the Redwoods… or in the Marin headlands… that you felt a deep connection to yourself, and wanted to dwell in that for as long as possible? …Maybe you felt a deep sense of peace, contentment, or joy, in just being?
I really feel Nature is nourishment, for the soul.
When I’m taking a walk, or hanging out on a park bench in the Botanical Gardens, it is sheer delight for me to take in the big blue sky through my eyes, to feel the sun kiss and warm my face, the wind play with my hair, the grass tickle my feet, and to hear the chirpy-chirp of birds, ( especially the slurpy-slurp of hummingbirds).
Instantaneously, I feel energized and more alive.
One of my favorite things is to smell the distinctive scent of eucalyptus trees, and even more sweet, to hear their leaves rustle lightly, whispering secrets on the breeze.
Every single time I’m in the gardens I’ll notice I have a huge smile on my face… It’s pure bliss to feel so connected to something greater than myself, and at the same time, feel accepted as a unique part of what surrounds me.
One day, I was intently watching a bee draw nectar from a flower, and I saw how selflessly the flower gave, playing its role. I wondered, what can I learn from the flower? What is my nature? What is my role? How am I a part of this great web of life? What can I selflessly give, for the benefit of others? What are others, selflessly giving, for the benefit of me?
I thought of the words of Albert Einstein: “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
Yes.
It is important for us to get outside and enjoy, appreciate, and learn from this beautiful natural world of ours… To be moved by the oceans, lakes, mountains, streams, valleys, wind, stars, hills, sky, clouds, trees, meadows, flowers, and more, is an amazing gift. To be in Nature inspires care and action on behalf of our environment, and great love for our “home sweet home” on this planet Earth.
It also simply feels good.
When was the last time you went out into nature… and found yourself, going in?
… Maybe I’ll see you, there.