Nature’s Reviving Power

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. – John Burroughs

The stresses of work and life are so overwhelming at times. How do I bring back balance? For me, a walk on a nearby path gives me back my perspective so I can transcend the noise around me.

This beautiful fawn along with its mother and siblings brought me peace and joy one recent morning. I felt as if I had intruded on something so simple and beautiful, a family’s time together. The simplicity of existence. This provided a clear message. Let go of the burdens and the pressures, just live and enjoy the simple blessings that surround me.

“The waves of the sea help me get back to me.” – Jill Davis

The ocean piques my senses. I can see, smell and hear the ocean’s strength, determination and resilience. The unending ebb and flow of the waves are calming, consistent and in a way majestic.

The ocean provides me with courage and reignites the drive in me to persevere and face my struggles head on. I’m so thankful for the ocean’s ability to speak to my soul.

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” – Henry David Thoreau

I walk with nature and feel refreshed and born anew. Nature is my healing balm. Maybe it is the beauty or the solitude. Maybe God’s gifts are so clearly visible. I feel blessed and hopeful by the time I finish my walk.

“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” – Rachel Carson

Just as nature goes on, so must we. We must learn how to nurture our souls and persevere. This next part of my life, I seek spiritual alignment.

“There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.” – Linda Hogan

Just as nature speaks, we too as humans speak. How much of what we say is simply not heard? Do we take the time to listen to the quiet child or the angry teenager? How much have we missed of what our spouses have said in unspoken words? When do we stop to listen?

Maybe just as we learn to convene with nature, we too must learn how to communicate with one another. If we were actually communicating with one another, would we be living in a world with such social strife?

I think I shall focus on communicating and understanding others. I must remember, another can be communicating but not with spoken words.

Photography

Inspirational Beauty

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” – Paulo Coelho

When we finally hear our soul speaking to us and know that we must care for the flickering light within, we are ready to continue walking our path. Even if the path requires us to have the courage to change; we will be at peace. Our soul will nurture us and provide flowers in our path.

“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.” – Gerard de Nerval

“Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life.” – Herbert A. Ott

“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Each year doves come and build their next in this tree. High winds, rain storms or just the precarious positioning of the nest cause the nest to fall year after year. The doves do not give up. Their resilience has them coming back year after year to build their new nest. May we each have such fortitude, determination and unending perseverance to achieve what we set out to do.

“Might I, ” quavered Mary, “might I have a bit of earth?” “Earth!” he repeated. “what do you mean?” “To plant seeds in – to make things grow – to see them come alive.” – Frances H. Burnett, The Secret Garden

As I drink in the beauty of the flowers around our home and see the daily changes that take place with each flower, I’m in awe of the miracle God created. For years, I looked at the flowers, saw how pretty and colorful they looked and moved on. It was so easy to give that nod of acknowledgement because life was going so fast. Now I’ve learned, taking the time to be grateful for the simple miracles soothes my soul.