The Healing Power of Nature

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Being in nature is something that has always helped me massively -mainly since I had to make sense of a new reality back in 2014. Nature is my altar, my refuge, my haven; the place where I find myself and connect to the source of who I really am. In nature, I marvel at the sights, the sounds, the smells, the colours...I embrace myself, I breathe deeply, I make sense of the world inside and around me and get clarity. Nature has been one of my closest and dearest therapists and teachers and it has shown me that everything has a time of its own.  Nature does not rush yet it evolves, shifts, matures, blooms; it grows incessantly and graciously. Nature is. It just is. Nature neither tries nor shows off, it just flows and exists giving its magnitude, magic and beauty to us every day. I believe it is one of our greatest teachers.  

While contemplating the beautiful and tranquil view in Guards Club Park one February day years ago, I wrote the following reflection on my diary: 

Nature does not rush but it still moves forward, evolves, grows. I deeply love and cherish being in nature to the point of feeling in awe, grateful and a bit teary sometimes and I believe that is because being in contact with nature, surrounded by it, immersed in it IS my true nature, I feel connected to myself, everything becomes clearer and time and time again I am reminded of what truly matters.

Nature has seen me smile broadly and cry, get completely angry and be immensely grateful; nature has been witness to me talking to birds, hugging trees, staring at flowers and branches with hypnotising colours, and staring at the sky. Nature has seen me being completely lost and sad as well as feeling at peace with myself and certain that everything happens for a reason. Nature has never judged me. Nature has been the observer of my admiration, awe, anger, gratitude, sadness, annoyance; it has seen me feel expansion before awesome sights -however big or small- as well as feel little in comparison to the magnitude of everything that surrounds our existence -visible and invisible to our eyes but not to our other senses and inner guidance. Nature has seen me be completely mindful. 

Walking in nature I have drawn a parallel between the weather and our inner state and how sometimes the weather has reflected those feelings. It has also shown me how, by moving a few centimetres into a clearing, we can change the perception of what we think IS. 
In nature I have understood patience. In reflection one day, this came to mind: 

Give yourself the space to be and you will never be alone,
It’s all about understanding who you are and embracing it fully;
Once you understand that, you’ll be liberated and live your life fully. 

Nature has ultimately and undeniably helped me be, just be; always there, quietly encouraging me to know myself, deeply.





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