Last week I spent a fair amount of time in local cafés, thinking, writing and observing people of all ages and stages of life. It put me in a philosophical frame of mind and when that happens I start wondering about life’s mysteries . . . mostly about human nature. Huge numbers of us are struggling with high stress levels and we need moments to renew. We want to reconnect with our deeper core, our Essential self, but ignore the tug to take time.
Mother Nature Puts Things in Perspective
Mother Nature is Big
Sometimes something in nature speaks louder than a sermon, lecture, or wise person. It is more like a “picture is worth a thousand words.” Nature ‘s messages seem so big against our smallness. When you stand under the stars, gaze on a sturdy tree, or stand by the ocean do you feel deeply connected with that “Something” that is truly satisfying to your soul?
Mother Nature is Balanced
Most of us are longing for deep and sustainable soul-level satisfaction. I have found that in nature I can “let it all out” (if no one is around) and then “take it all in” when I settle down and listen. Nature listens before she speaks. She absorbs our pain both in word and deed (even our greed and ravages) and still offers healing remedies.
She seems to have the perfect combination of being predictable enough to keep us sane and unpredictable enough for us to pursue her mysteries. She keeps us searching for clues. For predictability, day and night serve us well. For the less predictable mysteries, things like hurricanes, black holes and earthquakes do the trick.
Similarly, the science of human nature teaches us that our brains need a healthy tension between novelty and predictability. Children seek the novelty that their brains crave while simultaneously pushing against the very predictability (boundaries) parents must enforce for their well-being. Too little or too much of either has unwelcoming effects on children’s behavior.
The same is true for us adults.
The brain’s pleasure chemicals keep us addicted to the sugar of life. Material things and our desire for immediate gratification work against the rooted life of soulful, reflective living.
Mother Nature is Rooted
As parents, we do crave for our children and ourselves a sense of rootedness in an uprooted world of chaotic and conflicting demands for our attention.
Looking at a sturdy tree for five minutes can bring that sense. We can shift our attention to something bigger than ourselves. Its foundation is deeply rooted while its branches stretch to great heights toward the light.
A rooted tree is a strong fortress for birds and animals as well as oxygen and shade for us. It’s growth is not in our control. Doesn’t that feel good? What can we learn from nature’s quiet messages?
Call to Action:
Let’s do just those two things for two minutes: notice and nurture the good, the true, and the beautiful, even if there is no tree in sight.
How does Nature speaks to you?
Margie