Nature speaks.

There exists an almost spiritual feeling that accompanies being with nature. A calmness that has no dollar value, a simple joy that comes from within and fills. For each of us, a glimpse, or encounter with nature, brings all those beautiful moments that compel us to stop, listen, and breathe. the gentle whispers of the leaves, the hum of an insect, trees swaying with the gentle breeze, and a thousand other sights and sounds that could all represent therapy for the soul.

I recently found a natural area where I was 100% alone. I stopped walking and stood for a moment. Everything alive yet still, so to speak. I could feel the wind on my skin, breathe the fresh air, and see the golden rays of sun shining through the trees, all while feeling more human, more connected, and more whole.

The flowers were remarkable, not because they were the most unique or the most colourful, but because they were present with a unique humility. Each flower, each bloom swaying gracefully in the breeze as though the motion of the wind were a different act. When I remembered them again later, there was a lesson of grace under pressure and that beauty exists in the moments we miss because we go too fast.

The beauty of nature’s space is unlike any other man's built space. Whether it’s a raggedy space on some remote trail, a garden with all types of blooms, or the breeze at the top of a mountain, the natural world calls us and challenges us to put down or turn away from our screens, noise and clutter and take full residence in the mindfulness of the moment.

In the stillness I seek, I am standing close to my Creator. The order, colour, patterns, and sound of nature convey a certain intelligence, a certain design. And in that design and understanding, I have inner calm. Nature connects us to remind us we are a small part of something powerful. Nature calls us to honour, care and live cautiously together.

Every time I come back from time spent near nature, I feel renewed. I come away lighter and more hopeful and so excited to share these enjoyable moments again with you. As I ponder the simplicity and sincerity of nature, let us celebrate the thoughts that come from the quietest space, which are often our most authentic connections.