I went to a backwoods behind my apts that views a wetlands through the scramble of trees both up and fallen, and the trees resounding with many bird varieties. I took my camera/phone off and stopped to take photos of each sort of wildflower/weed that I saw and that slowed me down to the minutest moment of tiny flowers and got me into presence with each view I spent time focusing on. :-)
This is so beautiful. Sometimes I get caught up in the fact that since I can’t drive (due to my visual impairment), I’m stuck looking at the same old bike path or neighborhood houses every day. But there is such joy in knowing the natural world right in your own backyard! Your comment is a good reminder for me, thank you for sharing it.
As I age it is harder to feel present as the complaints of the body intrude on my thoughts and limit where I can go. As a non-visualizer, it is hard to recreate past nature/place experiences that have given me peace and joy. I go back via the poetry I write and revisit.
It is hard to relax and not thing about those stupid to-do lists. I try to listen for the sounds of the forest - the trees, the birds. I use the Merlin Bird app to listen to bird sounds and have fun identifying new birds. I take photos of the forest canopy and try to "bath in the forest."
I am obsessed with Merlin—given my visual impairment, it’s kinda the only way I can “birdwatch.” Earlier this week it “found” a Great Horned Owl while camping near Lake Michigan!
I am also obsessed with Merlin.....I am learning a lot just from listening and using the app to learn more about each bird. I have yet to "hear" any kind of owl....and would love to. I would rather listen to the sounds than use a binocular....many times I cannot focus long enough on the bird to identify it anyway. And I love listening to all the birds "talk" to each other........
I loved The Nature Fix! Here in Northern Michigan, it's impossible not to be present when you reach a scenic overlook hundreds of feet above Lake Michigan. On a sunny day, the colors of the water are stunning, running from turquoise to deep blue, and if you squint, the white sails of a boat appear. I like to sit on a fallen tree in the sand and just breath and feel the breeze.
Hi Jill, I too wrote about this theme recently, and questioned if we could become so immersed in nature, we almost could become part of it. To step away into that zone. I agree that we can spend time in nature and be disconnected from it. It does mean intentionally making the effort to feel it and seek it.
In my book Out of Time: For Those Who Grieve and Wonder (available on amazon and Barnes and Noble) I talk about what a saving grace hiking and nature was and is for me since I lost my 15 year old granddaughter to cancer. It's impossible to WONDER and feel bereft at the same time. If you have experienced some tragedy in your life and need to connect to nature maybe this book will help you.
I went to a backwoods behind my apts that views a wetlands through the scramble of trees both up and fallen, and the trees resounding with many bird varieties. I took my camera/phone off and stopped to take photos of each sort of wildflower/weed that I saw and that slowed me down to the minutest moment of tiny flowers and got me into presence with each view I spent time focusing on. :-)
This is so beautiful. Sometimes I get caught up in the fact that since I can’t drive (due to my visual impairment), I’m stuck looking at the same old bike path or neighborhood houses every day. But there is such joy in knowing the natural world right in your own backyard! Your comment is a good reminder for me, thank you for sharing it.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply and God bless you :-)
I love your writing!
Aw, thank you Lisa—that means a lot! I’m so glad it resonated.
As I age it is harder to feel present as the complaints of the body intrude on my thoughts and limit where I can go. As a non-visualizer, it is hard to recreate past nature/place experiences that have given me peace and joy. I go back via the poetry I write and revisit.
Laura, we all do what we can. I love that poetry is such an integral part of your self-care routine 💕
It is hard to relax and not thing about those stupid to-do lists. I try to listen for the sounds of the forest - the trees, the birds. I use the Merlin Bird app to listen to bird sounds and have fun identifying new birds. I take photos of the forest canopy and try to "bath in the forest."
I am obsessed with Merlin—given my visual impairment, it’s kinda the only way I can “birdwatch.” Earlier this week it “found” a Great Horned Owl while camping near Lake Michigan!
I am also obsessed with Merlin.....I am learning a lot just from listening and using the app to learn more about each bird. I have yet to "hear" any kind of owl....and would love to. I would rather listen to the sounds than use a binocular....many times I cannot focus long enough on the bird to identify it anyway. And I love listening to all the birds "talk" to each other........
I loved The Nature Fix! Here in Northern Michigan, it's impossible not to be present when you reach a scenic overlook hundreds of feet above Lake Michigan. On a sunny day, the colors of the water are stunning, running from turquoise to deep blue, and if you squint, the white sails of a boat appear. I like to sit on a fallen tree in the sand and just breath and feel the breeze.
Yeah, there’s nothing like the Great Lakes on a bluebird day to kick your brain out of “fight-flight-freeze” mode. The water can look almost tropical!
Hi Jill, I too wrote about this theme recently, and questioned if we could become so immersed in nature, we almost could become part of it. To step away into that zone. I agree that we can spend time in nature and be disconnected from it. It does mean intentionally making the effort to feel it and seek it.
Thank you - enjoyed this post 🌱
You’re welcome! And please share your post if you’re comfortable—I’d love to read it!
In my book Out of Time: For Those Who Grieve and Wonder (available on amazon and Barnes and Noble) I talk about what a saving grace hiking and nature was and is for me since I lost my 15 year old granddaughter to cancer. It's impossible to WONDER and feel bereft at the same time. If you have experienced some tragedy in your life and need to connect to nature maybe this book will help you.
Thanks for sharing, Victoria.