Nature Connection

I have been so caught up in the joy of living that I totally missed my June blog! And now halfway through July and the midst of winter chills I find myself in awe of the way life continues to surprise me with both the simplicity and the fullness all at once. As each day comes to a close I can’t believe how many experiences I had the privilege of enjoying. Greeting each day with curiosity and excitement has been a game changer for sure.

The theme for these past 6 weeks has been nature connection. Being in nature and also being with my own inner world. There is so much beauty all around me and spending time each day in nature both in my personal life and also for my work has given me so much clarity and healing. Observing the students I teach and my own child exploring in the bush and zooming in on all the details- the moss on tree branches, little mushrooms, blooming flowers and the symphony of birds and rustling of lizards and the occasional wallaby. Magic all around me. Delighting in the details is a wonderful meditation and I recommend it to help calm the mind and excite the soul.

I am so in-tune with nature now that even when I was driving the other day past the entry of a parkland in Western Sydney a white stag appeared on the side of the road! A second time this majestic beast crossed my path. My father confirmed that I wasn’t hallucinating as he saw it too. So precious. I wish I could have taken a photo.

Our children most certainly need more time outdoors, playing and exploring freely. I took a school group for a workshop a few weeks ago for a wellbeing day and nature connection and they were so enlivened and awe struck by the beauty of nature and the elements. I could see their nervous systems settle and the peace in their energy was palpable.

Nature has all the answers. All children need is the opportunity to be away from all the distractions of technological stimulation and tune with the sounds earth all around them. The teachers were intrigued that their so called “problem” student was so calm and engaged. In fact she created the most extraordinary, architecturally sound stick house, with paved drive way and windows. Free time, space, sticks and stones and the freedom to allow her creativity to flourish was the secret formula. Our mainstream school systems and structures need more nature play and connection. It would most certainly resolve so many behavioural and engagement issues.

I have a very energetic 5 year old son and observing how he moved through nature with confidence and navigated the terrain so expertly made me realise that now, more than ever, we need to let our kids loose in the bush. They need to maintain their connection from a young age and cultivate a relationship with all the nature spirits.

Even if its hard to get out into the bush, we can all see the sky, look up and enjoy the changing colours of the the day and night. Some of the sun rises I have witnessed these 6 weeks have been THE MOST spectacular. Tonight the sky was the colour of gold. Abundance in rolling in my friends. Connect and claim it.