Hello and welcome and today's word is nature.
Have you ever felt the deep sense of calm that comes from spending time in the middle of a forest or listening to the rustling leaves on a stormy night?
Or the awe that washes over you as you gaze at a sunset over the ocean or listen to rumbling thunder in the distance?
Nature has an incredible ability to restore our energy,
Ground us in the present,
And inspire us to live more fully,
Possibly even more spiritually.
Unfortunately today,
Even if we live in cities,
Most cities have built into it areas of green and nature has an incredible way of finding its way to our doorstep even in a city.
Animals large and small,
We have pets,
Trees,
Plants,
Flowers,
Food,
Nature is really everywhere.
For centuries,
Nature has really played an essential role in shaping civilization and philosophies and personal well-being,
Going far beyond the necessity of food and water.
Henry David Thoreau,
For example,
The American philosopher and writer,
He immersed himself in the solitude of Walden Pond where he wrote Walden,
A meditation on the simplicity and wisdom found in nature.
John Muir,
A passionate advocate for conservation,
He fought tirelessly to preserve natural wonders like Yosemite National Park,
Ensuring future generations could experience the healing power of the wilderness.
And the indigenous people of various cultures have long held a profound connection to nature,
Integrating its rhythms and cycles into their spiritual and daily lives,
Often even into their medicines and their healing approaches.
And their traditions and wisdoms highlight the importance of living in harmony with the earth.
Nature has been a teacher,
A healer and a source of inspiration for those who have dared to listen.
And today could be the day that we all start listening that little bit more again.
Now,
Studies show that spending just 20 minutes a day in nature significantly reduces cortisol,
The stress hormone,
And it leads to lower anxiety and increased relaxation.
And with that comes greater creativity.
Exposure to natural sunlight helps regulate sleep cycles,
Improve mood and boost vitamin D levels so vital to our happiness.
Forest bathing,
A Japanese practice known as Shinrin-yoku,
Has been scientifically proven to enhance immune function and lower blood pressure.
Isn't that fascinating?
So three small steps today to bring nature more into our lives.
Number one,
Go and take a walk.
So simple.
Even a short walk in the park or along a tree-lined street can have profound effects on your mood and clarity.
And I would even encourage you if you live in a city to walk down just any average road and see if you can find where nature has found its way through the cement.
I find that fascinating.
Number two,
How about practising mindful observation today?
Sit quietly outdoors and engage your senses.
Notice the colours,
The sounds,
The textures,
The smells.
So beautiful.
And number three,
Could you today perhaps start growing something?
Whether it's a single plant on your windowsill or a full garden,
Nurturing life connects you to the rhythm of nature.
And if you're really not into growing something,
Perhaps just to buy yourself a small plant to really watch how it develops within your home.
Speak to it,
Connect with it.
Just by observing nature,
It allows us to open up a part of the mind that often reaps some incredible thoughts and ideas that can help us resolve issues.
So we're going to end today with a quotation by Albert Einstein.
Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.
