Often community is thought of as a segmented area of people and places that we interact with consistently. Let’s consider together what else can be considered community. When I resist the urge to throw away a small morsel of food because
someone else has no food – is this small offer of honor to an unnamed person with hunger pains a part of my community? Have you ever been driving down the street and encountered a line of ducks crossing the street? At that moment, the world stops and waits for the creatures to cross the street – then we zoom off to make up the one minute and thirty-eight seconds we lost – are the ducks a part of our community? Often times when I experience nature it’s a backdrop to my activity and while I enjoy the breeze it offers me and I love the “feel good” feeling I can’t explain, I have been guilty of not absorbing nature itself.
However, sometimes I stop in awe of an intricate spider web and wonder who the was the spider’s geometry teacher or a tree catches my eye and I really notice its height or size and begin to feel our connectedness in this ecosystem.
On these days, I become aware that nature is very much my community. Now I can’t wait to get outdoors because my nature community awaits me, just like we long to see our friends or have coffee at the café in our community.
The nature community may have an ant family to teach me a lesson, there may be a patch of daises that inspires the color I wear to work or the smell of nature reminds me of a special moment that makes me smile. So, if you have felt a connection to Nature and want to deepen it, then what are you waiting for – the rewards are immeasurable.
Next week, join me for 5 practical ways to start your journey to become one with nature and discover your nature community.