Spending Time in Nature - My Daily Om
I love the calm of being out over the water – here kayaking at Deer Lake, Burnaby, BC, Canada (Photo: Robbin Whachell)
Because we instinctively know that nature is good for us on many levels, it’s not unusual to feel powerfully drawn to it.
I can truthfully say that nature has provided me comfort, more than anything these last few years. My work at the creek or walks in the forest or hikes up the mountain provides much-needed breaks in my often maddening days on the computer, typing, writing, and the busyness of my life as a mother, grandmother, and homestay mother, and visiting my own mother in the seniors home.
My exercise and athletic pursuits outdoors are what keep me sane. whether it’s out on the water, a hike up the mountain, or walk along the river. I live in one beautiful province! Beautiful BC.
This message from DailyOm.com today was spot on, and so I wanted to share it here, along with a photo and video I took. The following is written by Madyson Taylor:
"In this modern age, we spend so much time indoors, focused on the busyness of our lives and disconnected from the earth. But much of what we truly need can only be found under the naked sky, alongside tall trees, on open plains, or in the sound of running water. Spending time in nature allows us to commune with other living beings and to find comfort in the nurturing embrace of Mother Earth. You can’t help but experience a different sense of self while walking in a wood or traversing a mountainside. Being in nature connects us to the earth, grounding us as we walk, unhindered by concrete, upon her. Surrounded by other living beings, both bigger and smaller than we are, we remember that human beings are simply one form of life in this vast universe.
Fall trees at Town Centre Park, Coquitlam, BC, Canada (Photo: Robbin Whachell)
"Because we instinctively know that nature is good for us on many levels, it’s not unusual to feel powerfully drawn to it. Even if you live in a city or find it difficult to travel to a forest or the countryside, there are a myriad ways to reconnect with nature. When you step out of your door each morning, pause for a minute and close your eyes long enough to let your senses absorb your surroundings. Listen and breathe deeply, until you hear the wind rustling through branches, smell rain on damp grass, and see the reflection of leaves brushing up against windowpanes. If you have time, crouch down and closely examine any nearby grass and soil. The sights, sounds, smells, and sensations we experience that are part of nature can remind us of all the gifts Mother Earth grants us each day.
"Spending time connecting with nature nourishes the soul, reminds you that you are never truly alone, and renews you by attuning you to the earth’s natural rhythms. Taking a walk under the stars or feeling the wind on your face may be all it takes for you to reconnect with nature. Remember, you are as much a part of nature as are the leaves on a tree or water bubbling in a brook." - Daily Om
The changing seasons... Blackberry leaves (Photo: Robbin Whachell)
Coquitlam River (Photo: Robbin Whachell)
I took this video on my street during a windy fall day.