Our winter thus far has been so mild, even calling it winter is sort of insulting to the season. We had snow for like three days and we had some frigid temperatures for about a week. This week has been sunny and in the forties and fifties, confusing my internal clock and making me think it’s March.
Yet the weather has successfully made weekend hiking difficult. Torrential rain or frigid temperatures seem to hit every single weekend. While I have enjoyed being cozy at home, I have craved time in the woods.
There’s just nothing like it.
So I made a point of leaving work on time yesterday and went outdoors for a while with my fella. We didn’t go far and weren’t even outside for that long since it’s still getting dark kind of early. All the same, it was exactly what I needed.
Luckily, there’s a spot nearby and the tourists were mostly absent last night so we had the place to ourselves for a while. We marveled at the muted shades of greens, greys and browns in the trees and the variation of colors and textures in the rocks. The sound of flowing water was the soundtrack to it all and shadows cast by the fading light created an air of mystery.
When you stand in nature with your feet on soil, the sky overhead, and trees, rocks and birds all around, it’s impossible to not feel a kind of reverence. I call it going to church.
I’ll never understand those people who march into the woods, talking loudly and looking at their phones. They miss so much simply because they don’t connect to their surroundings and appreciate the bounty that only nature can offer.
My hope for you is that you can find time this weekend to spend in nature. Even a few moments of peace in nature can lower your blood pressure and bolster your mental health. A little fresh air can change your perspective. It can give you curious things to look at and consider. It can bring you joy. You remember what joy is, don’t you?
Don’t worry. I’ll practice what I preach.
Want to see some pictures from my evening in nature? Visit Make The Journey Fun on Facebook!!
