20. Connect With Nature
20. Connect With Nature
breathe fresh air, hug trees, run hands in the river, walk barefoot in the sand, immerse yourself in water
My grandmother up until her passing, was known to be a water baby! In the last years of her life, she lived in a little apartment/condo right on Lake Washington. And her neighbors would share their astonishment and awe at how (in the summer) they’d watch her go down to the pool deck, walk past the pool, out onto the dock and dive into the lake. She would do a daily swim in that lake and she’d take in the majestic beauty of Mount Rainier out for the entire Pacific Northwest to see!
Though I too was known for being a water baby, I wasn’t known for being a nature gal necessarily. I have a distinct memory of being about 5 - 7 years old, dressed in “outdoorsy clothes” that I HATED. I remember holding on to my bedpost and my mom trying to pull me (gently) to go on the family hike. I hated hiking. But, I was made to go along. And in the end, I would usually enjoy it once I was there or once I reached the destination. Another famous “Margaret hates hiking story” is that our family went to Mount Rainier for a hike/walk (again, I’m about 6 or so) and my grandpa would give me a stick. My job was to keep grandpa walking. So he’d walk ahead of me about 10 feet or so and then he’d stop. So I’d have to walk to him and give him a gentle poke with the stick to get him to keep walking. Clever Grandpa!
And then I got older! And while I wouldn’t claim hiking to be my favorite, I’d say that I have expanded on my love of nature. Though I protested a bunch as a kid, my family’s urging to get outside did pay off. And getting outside and to nature is a value I hold for myself, my kids and for all of us.
In high school, I was on a summer service trip in Leavenworth, WA. I had a really profound experience of the Spirit in nature. We were in the 100+ degree heat working on a house with Habitat for Humanity. We’d work early in the morning and try to be done around 1 or 2pm because it just was too hot! One of the days we came back to our campsite and we all went swimming at the nearby lake. I remember running into the water and it was so cold and felt soooo good! I remember sort of shouting and splashing the water almost in a deep praise. The water felt so refreshing and cool and I just couldn’t hold in the feeling. I was grateful for the mountains around me, the sun shining, the water, my friends with me and just all of it! It’s continued to stay with me as a profound moment of feeling so connected to Spirit, to nature and to myself all at once.
So much of our world I think is disconnected from nature. It’s a backdrop to our lives, and not a whole system that we are a part of our and that our souls cry out to reconnect with. I know I could do a better job of integrating nature and the connection with and appreciation of it into my daily life. And I think part of that is because it’s a bit counter cultural to do so. So, to bring more of that connection into my life takes intentionality and making time for it. I do wish I did more of that! For me, I can feel Spirit so deeply when I’m up in the mountains or by the oceanside. But, it can be a little trickier to for me to note Spirit in the nature just around our neighborhood. And yet, when I do take the time to be in nature, I do feel better!
In the height of the pandemic, I would often take the kids to the beach to play and walk and be outside. It reminded me that there was a larger world out there, and not just us stuck in our house. I also often would take the kids for a walk around our neighborhood. And we would enjoy the flowers and the fun sculptures people had in their yards. When I lived in Edmonds, I would sometimes open the car door upon arriving home and smell the salt in the air! I could smell the seaweed! These were such important reminders that I am a part of a natural system. I know that I do better, my heart and soul and spirit feel better, when I connect with nature!
So, this is the reminder to myself and to you to get outside a bit today! Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, letting your feet feel the grass, or whether it’s a bigger trip out to the woods or beach, connect with nature. Take some deep breaths. Take a moment of intentionality. Let your heart listen and hear what nature’s message might be for you. This is the reminder for all of us, we are a part of nature and our spirits need that connection.
Reflection Questions:
What is your relationship to the natural world and where did that come from?
How do you like to connect to nature?
How would you like to deepen your connection to nature?
Songs:
Today’s songs are all from my favorite children’s/family friendly band called the Okee Dokee Brothers. They are from Minnesota and most of their music includes elements of nature. I really encourage you to check out their music it’s not what you think of when you think of typical kids music.
The Life That’s In You - This song is so beautiful! It speaks to the deep connection we have with each other and to nature. Some of the chorus: “Cause the life that’s in you is the life that’s in me, and the life in a bird is the life in a tree. And if we can believe, in one thing that true it’s the life that’s in me is the life that’s in you.”
Through The Woods - I love the line of this song, “I’m wondering if you’d go wandering with me”. It just is such a beautiful celebration of wandering and being in nature and being together in the adventure.
Church of the Woods - I love this song so much and even more, I love this article that Joe Mainlander (one of the Okee Dokee Brothers) wrote about the inspiration for this song and his thoughts.
Click HERE to go to the 40 Things, 40 Years Playlist featuring the songs from each blog post.
Reading: