Why I Ran Away into Nature, and You Should, Too

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.  ~John Muir

I ran away from home last week, heading up through wine country, past rows of ripening grapes, and up the curvy back road mountains to the serenity of the hot springs. Researching and writing are passions of mine, but grad school finals required that I remain tethered to my laptop and iPhone for weeks upon end. Being able to stay connected is a wonderful thing, but technology can disconnect us from our own inner voice. So, while I was taking my usual breaks for bayside walks and local hikes, these were not enough. My body craved a deep dose of nature’s nurturance. A return inward.

Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rush. Rush. Rush. More people are living in urban communities now than ever before. In a society of doers and achievers, we can sometimes forget the importance of s l o w i n g d o w n. The body needs stillness, and when combined with soothing natural surroundings, we are nurtured physically, mentally and spiritually.

I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.  ~Henry David Thoreau

Upon arriving at the hot springs, I settled myself upon a creekside rock, listened to the soothing strength of the water moving before me, birds happily chirping from surrounding treetops, and breathed in the sweet spicy scents of the mountain. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Relaxing into my body. I rested and listened within. After awhile I opened my eyes, delighted to discover a doe with her fawns, making their way to the creek for an afternoon drink, stopping to chew on the green leaves of a nearby bush. I was struck by the sheer beauty of simplicity.

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.  ~Kahlil Gibran

I danced with nature for two beautiful restorative days, returning to the ‘city’ a more rested, nurtured version of myself. Running away to the local mountains was an amazing gift, which is why I highly encourage you to do the same. Run away, dear reader! Get yourself into nature, unplug and enjoy. There are many types of nature adventures from which to choose, any of which is apt to decrease stress and revive your body and spirit. Journey to the beach, lake, river, mountains, desert, or whichever form of nature is calling to you. As William Blake said, “Great things are done when men and mountains meet.  This is not done by jostling in the street.”

Love and Nature-bound Blessings,

Antonia

Originally posted at http://soulatwork.com/