Do you also miss spending time surrounded by trees? When last were you able to go on a hike without strange constraints? How calming are sunset missions?
We never seem to realize how intrinsically connected we are to nature. It’s marvelous how the better we treat our own health, the better it usually is for the environment.
This post will be a showcase of some of my time spent outdoors, focusing on the most beautiful aspects of nature.
I want to emphasize how important it is to spend more time surrounded by trees and the natural world, as it subconsciously reminds us of how temporary our life truly is.
This may not be entirely feasible right now, but try to watch the sunrise or sunset if you can. Focus on the plants in your garden. Stare out the window and ponder over the clouds. Immerse yourself in the present moment.
“The oak tree or the eagle would be bemused by such a question. “What time?” they would ask. “Well, of course, it’s now. The time is now. What else is there?”
― Eckhart Tolle
Ants, birds, bees and trees all focus on the task at hand. To grow and thrive, regardless of the circumstances. To adapt to the unexpected, to embrace change and chaos. We too should follow our nature and strive to be the best we possibly can – whatever that means to us.
I’ll show some pics from Kirstenbosch, food places, some insects and other random places. I hope this brings you as much joy as brought me.
Kirstenbosch
Foodie
Random places
Bugz
“So you where born to feel “nice”? Instead of doing things and experiencing them? Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks putting the world in order, as best they can? And you’re not willing to do your job as a human being? Why aren’t you running to do what your nature demands?”
-Marcus Aurelius
Can you spot the bee?
Embrace uncertainty.
We’re absolutely blessed. When you spend time admiring nature and what God has created, it brings a sense of peace to your soul. You understand that things weren’t created randomly. We’re all here for a purpose. Let’s make the most of it.
“The world is nothing but change. Our life is only perception.”
Let’s talk a little about seeking pleasure, avoiding pain, love and kindness. Relationships, roots and a bit of mother nature. I’m attempting a more poetic approach with the thinking out loud series, also allowing the pictures I take to speak with me.
It’s our own idea of good and bad, that truly carries meaning with us. If we can dissociate from those ideas, we’ll have much more freedom. That is: seeking pleasure makes us feel good, whereas enduring pain makes us feel bad.
Life is meant to be both pleasing and painful, for without silence there can be no sound. Without darkness, there can be no light.
The nature of the flower is to give, the nature of the bug is to receive. Follow your nature. Give and receive in abundance.
“The ultimate value of personal growth work is not to feel better about ourselves but to contribute to how those around us feel about themselves.“
In unity there is strength, like the roots of trees. There’s a fascinating podcast that I listened to the other day, which spoke on the reasons why certain trees and forests survive extreme conditions. From snowy storms to hurricanes and tornadoes, how do forests still make it?
It turns out, there’s an entire network beyond our vision, allowing this to be possible. The roots of trees are known to dig deep into the earth and find multiples sources of nutrition. These roots also connect with neighbouring trees and plants, forming immaculate networks.
These networks allow trees to ‘communicate’ and to assist each other whenever needed. I found this absolutely inspiring, considering how important it is for us to stay and work together.
In unity there is strength.
The support and love we can provide to each other, will also allow us to withstand all conditions. As social beings, we’ve evolved to rely on each other. Not just for our basic needs, but for intuitive, emotional and intellectual stimulation.
Fostering healthy relationships however, is not just something you can do by liking pictures or retweeting posts. It’s an investment. You have to put in time and energy, in order for it to grow into something profitable. Profitable in the sense where you find meaning and service, within something greater than yourself.
Take time to check on your friends, your family members, all those you care about. Love is about action, consistency, and how we make others feel. It’s the amount of attention we’re willing to pay.
Spend time to reflect on the people you spend time with. The way you treat the people you love. The way you treat yourself. Your actions, behaviours and intentions. We need to spend more time consciously living. Being present with the world around us.
Spending time in nature is good for your mental health. It’s science, I kid you not. Going for walks also allows your thoughts and values to incubate. You need to make time to let your mind wander and truly internalize your purpose.
To love, also means to let go. For if we constantly keep others under our shade, that could also lead to stunting their growth. People enter and leave our lives, like the leaves flowing down a stream. Nothing to be judgmental about, it’s part of nature’s flow.
Here are few quotes about love from a book I’ve recently read called ‘The Prophet’ by Kahlil Gibran.
“Even as love ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, so shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.”
“Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed. For love is sufficient unto love.”
Considering the shortness of our life span, the chaos of this world, and the lack of our true empathy; we should all strive to love more. Start from within, learn to love yourself more, form a healthy relationship with yourself. Then watch your relationships start to flourish.
For when you’ve sufficiently filled your cup, you can receive and give without worrying about that cup ever emptying out.
The grass is always greener on the other side, but if you look closely enough, your grass is just as green as it’s meant to be. Focus on what you have; be grateful, be content, be adaptable. As with the changing of the seasons, our leaves may have to fall to allow the tree to prosper; only for them to re-grow in due time. Everything is cyclic, so are we.
We were crafted from this earth & to it we shall return.
“Those with a giving mindset take some comfort knowing that even though they didn’t get exactly what they wanted, they helped someone else get exactly what they wanted.“
MEMENTO MORI 