Living Life Fully’s Daily Pick-Me-Up

My wife and I went for a hike in the desert today, far away from other people, among cacti and bushes and lots of animals that we couldn’t see because they were hibernating for the winter or sleeping for the day.  It was a cool day, but sunny and bright.  The air was fresh, the plant life was beautiful, the sky was amazing, the breeze was fresh and invigorating, and the silence was restful and soothing.  And as I sit here at the computer and think about the day we had, I can’t help but think that I don’t go out in nature nearly enough.  I get caught up in work and other tasks so that I tend to stay at home most of the time, getting things “done,” rather than spending time out in the natural world that we were given as one of our greatest blessings–but a blessing that we tend to neglect.

I don’t think that a long entry would do much today.  I felt incredible out there in the desert, and the memories of this day I will carry with me for a very long time.  In fact, many of my most cherished memories are of times that I spent in nature, times that I’ve spent in fresh air with the smell of plants and the sounds of birds all around me.  And if I’m completely honest with myself, I’ll admit that I need to take the time and make the effort to have such experiences much more often.  This planet and all that it has for us is an incredible gift, and I don’t feel right neglecting that gift.  And when I do spend time in nature, it’s rejuvenating and energizing, and it helps me to regain a healthy perspective on my life and my duties in life.

What parts of the natural world are your favorites?  Where can you experience those parts?  I would encourage you to seek out those experiences as much as you can, for as you take better care of yourself, you’ll find that you’re able to take much better care of those who need you, too.  The natural world is out there, and it’s waiting for us.  But we have to make the effort to seek it out and make it a part of who we are.  When we do, we’ll find the effort well worth everything we put into it.

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.

John Muir