A number of years ago, a friend of mine recommended that I read The Nature Principe by Richard Louv. I have always had a deep sense of joy when I am in nature, but this book really brought home an even deeper level of respect for nature. It reinforced how important it is that we stay connected to the natural world.
“The future will belong to the nature-smart—those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.”
—Richard Louv
So many times I see disconnect with natured and it looks discombobulated, fuzzy and uncomfortable. Then I see people, places, ideas that are connected to nature and they seem to make sense, be at peace, and healthy. A perfect example of this is when I watch kids after they have been on screens for a couple of hours verses after they have been out hiking, reading on the grass, or climbing trees. The latter seem so happy and conversational and interested where as after a couple hours on screens, my kids and others that I have observed seem filled with unbalanced energy. This could probably be explained with ions and positive and negative charges and so much more… but observation has been enough to convince me, and this book heightens this awareness for me.
So how do we all get more of this time in nature? The answer can be simple or complicated, you choose. It can be spending a day out on a hike or mountain bike trail, or it can be bringing a pen and paper outside and drawing while sitting on grass or planting a plant on your porch. No matter what you choose, you might find a sense of peace and purpose in nature that feels amazingly great! So why not try?