I gave myself a gift today and it didn’t cost a dime.
It wasn’t a trip to the mall, a mani/pedi, or my all-time favorite dessert.
In fact, it wasn’t an “item” at all. It was something far more valuable.
The gift was some time for ME.
I took a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon to take a beautiful nature walk along the Chattahoochee River and marvel at my surroundings.
Too often, we are surrounded by so much “noise” that we don’t even know what it’s like to be draped in pure, unadulterated silence.
When was the last time you slowed down enough to appreciate the beauty around you? Probably too long, right?
I had forgotten how beautiful silence can be, and what it can teach us.
“BE-ing” in the silence allows us to come back to the center, to be still, and to listen. As I walked, I took the time to notice everything around me and take in the lessons that were there.
As I stood on the bank of the Chattahoochee and looked out at the water, I was struck by its flow. There were parts that were calm and serene that fed into waters that were fast-moving. There were rocks that the water naturally flowed over, around, or under if a tree was in the way. As I thought about that metaphor, I was able to relate it to life in general.
There are times when everything is calm, and there are times when things are so rocky that you don’t know how you will make it through.
Here’s the lesson nature taught me that day: Water found its way around every obstacle (rock, branch, etc.) that was in its way. It continued on its path, ever moving toward the direction it needed to go.
Nature is so wise. We can learn so much when we stop and pay attention.
When you feel obstacles blocking your path, follow the example of the river: Keep moving, don’t stop.
It is the natural flow for you to find a way around your challenges and continue toward your destination.
Inside the silence is where the lessons come. Spend a few minutes there and you’ll find that when you return to the “real world,” you’ll feel a little more grounded, more centered, a little more intentional, and on purpose in the actions that you take.
When was the last time you slipped into silence and experienced nature?
Your assignment this week: Find a few minutes a day to spend a few minutes outside. Even if you only have time to venture into your backyard, I encourage you to BE still and quiet and experience the natural world.
Then, come back and share with us below what lessons you learned from the natural world.
