How Nature Heals and Brings Joy
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
I believe that this earth was created by a loving and joyous God that wants us, the ultimate creation of joy, to be able to enjoy our experience here and one of the greatest ways we can do so is to look to and be in nature. Nature is beautiful and powerful no matter where you are. All you have to do is take the time to step out and notice. As you do so, you will feel the love and care that the Universe has for you, and you will learn what you are meant to know about yourself, and your place and purpose here on this earth.
Plus, your body, spirit and mind needs and wants to spend time in nature.
While all exercise boosts endorphins, the natural body chemicals that elicit sensations of pleasure, exercising outdoors can improve self-esteem and reduce feelings of depression, anger, and tension.
Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
Further, sunshine is the primary source of vitamin D for most of us; vitamin D deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, high blood pressure, and poor pregnancy outcomes.
Beyond these very practical reasons for spending more time outside in nature, there are what we might call spiritual motivations for heading outdoors.
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” —-Anne Frank
Often, after an argument or stressful situation, or when I’m feeling overwhelmed, confused or afraid, I will go outside, anywhere just to be in nature, be it for a walk around the block or to the nearby park or even simply to sit outside on my deck. I’ll often cry and sometimes even scream and feel hurt and angry and lonely, but soon the great lessons of nature begin to comfort, teach and heal me. My worries and woes become wonders and wows. Tears of pain and hurt turn to tears of peace and hope. Anger transforms to energy and desire to do something kind and worthwhile. No longer do I feel alone, but strengthened and supported. Allowing nature to heal and bless me, I now have greater clarity, power and resolve to face whatever and whoever awaits me. Nature clearly and calmly tells me: “You are fine now. You can do it. Feel the joy all around and in you. Get up and go live it.”
There are so many valuable lessons we can learn from nature.
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.” —-John Lubbock
Take the sun for example. It rises and sets, warms and comforts and creates some of the most powerful and beautiful colors in the sky. So, like the sun, we can bring warmth and comfort to those in need and receive the warmth and comfort of others. We can welcome and be grateful for all that comes into and goes from our lives, all the people we connect with, all the challenges and adventures we experience and witness, each one leaving their powerful mark and bringing color and beauty to our lives.
Even storms of great rain and wind have something to teach us. As the rain washes and cools things down, so we can let troubles and problems wash over us and learn to cool our tempers. Winds can blow fierce and hard and often leave destruction in their wake. But afterward, there is calm. When things get hard and stressful, and our life seems to be blowing out of control, we can find peace in the storm, knowing there will come a time of calm and rest.
And, like the trees that stand firm and strong, despite the winds and rains that blow and beat upon them, so we can be valiant, strong and true in being who we are, and not giving in and cave to the pressures and pursuits of the world. And as oceans guide and protect the life that lives deep within them, so we can be protectors of our souls and learn to follow its guidance on the pathway of our lives.
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
Another great lesson we can learn from nature is to slow down and not be in such a hurry busy worry rush through life. Yes, there is a lot to do each day—-work, school, dishes, laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping, bills to pay, places to go—and, if we’re lucky, maybe some time to spend with family and friends and hopefully get some sleep at night.
But as we look to learn from nature, when do you ever see a flower rush to grow up or get stressed out that they’re not doing it good enough or fast enough? Have you ever seen a fish get angry at the school for the traffic jam they create in its way to another spot in the ocean? Does a bird rush and push to be the quickest and best and feel like a failure and refuse to sing if their song isn’t the first and finest heard? Did you ever see a tree panic because it has a knot in their wood and give up and stop growing because it thought another tree had better colored leaves or cooler looking bark?
No, of course not. Flowers simply bloom and grow where they are planted. Fish keep swimming along with their school grateful to be a part of something. Birds are happy to sing their song whenever and however they feel like it. Trees take their time to grow, knowing that by so doing they become stronger and better able to withstand the winds that may blow and try to break them.
“Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars…and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful. Everything is simply happy.” —Osho
Nature keeps on blooming, growing, swimming, singing, and living, doing what it does, being as it is. It accepts itself for what it is, and everything else for what they are and do, and we can all learn from that. And thank goodness nature is at is and does what it does so well. Our world and lives would be in terrible distress if nature just gave up and decided it wasn’t good enough or important enough or appreciated enough to live as they do. If we didn’t have all the flowers and bees and trees to pollinate and oxygenate our world, if the ocean floors and sea beds dried up and depopulated, and the jungles and forests stopped growing, not only would there would be major ecological repercussions, but severe emotional and mental distress and decline among us all.
Now I know that we are not the same as flowers, fishes, birds and trees. We are complex beings, especially when it comes to our thoughts, emotions, and interactions with others in our lives, but still there are great lessons we can learn from how nature continues to live and grow and be. There is something amazing and peaceful about being in nature, a feeling of awe and wonder. No matter where or what climate you are in, you can connect with your true source, and feel great power and love in a way that calms, teaches, and inspires.
