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Nature Nurtures the Soul
Not traveling for a year has been hard, yet, I have found many silver linings. One silver lining is that I have begun taking even more time than usual to explore my immediate surroundings in more depth.
I have started taking in wide, panoramic views. For the first time in years, I even sat in the grass to observe some very intricate details. Slowing down and spending more time at home has given me a closer connection with nature.
To sum up my relationship with nature, I wrote a spiritual one-line poem for National Poetry Month: “Noticing and noting nature has nurtured my soul.”
Noticing and noting, in other words observing, is an improved skill I will take with me on all of my travel adventures to make my experiences even better.
The Sky
The sky is amazing and always changing; it’s one of nature’s greatest wonders. There is so much to see and enjoy, but when we are locked into the normal hustle and bustle of our lives, many of us just don’t look up often enough.
The sky will fill with clouds one minute, and in the next minute, it may be crystal clear. Sunlight is filtered and flows through clouds, and it beams in unique ways resulting in each new sunrise and sunset.
The night sky is even more interesting to me. The moon is mysterious with its ever-changing color, shape, and position. Of course, I also take in the stars, as much as my street-lit part of the world allows.
Sometimes when traveling, we are tied to an itinerary that pushes us to forget to take in this feature that seems ordinary but is unique to every destination.
Flowers
Flowers are my favorite. I can’t get enough of their exquisite beauty, regardless of whether they are weeds, wildflowers, or just store-bought flowers. Why do we even need to try to tell the difference? The bright, bold colors and light-created shades and shadows provide the perfect exhibit. Some are so tiny and hidden; it takes a skilled explorer to discover them.
Bees, Butterflies, and Other Bugs
Butterflies and bees flutter all around. I notice them the most because they frequent my favorite flowers. They fill me with wonder and awe. Their life cycles, migration patterns, and pollination skills are more than I can fully comprehend. They are a symbol of the interconnectedness of life on our planet.
Birds
I am fascinated by birds: their behavior and their beauty. I am not able to capture birds in my photos very clearly. I am considering whether to buy a camera that would allow me to work on this. But, when I get back to traveling, I am not sure I will want to carry a bigger camera around. It would be perfect for my backyard, though.
Critters
My backyard is the home to many small critters. I enjoy watching the squirrels and their silly antics. Well, except for when their antics include digging up the seeds I planted! There are also cats, rabbits, deer, and a groundhog that make regular appearances. None of the critters hold still very long — not like the flowers — when I try to take their photos. That’s why they don’t get as much of my attention.
Final Thoughts
The time that I have invested into honing my observation skills will make every bit of the world even more interesting when I can travel again. I will take in the details in a more intentional way. Experiencing the sky, skyscrapers, and the people in a way that brings even more feelings of awe. That is what traveling is really all about.
Thanks for reading. I hope everyone finds awe and joy in nature in their own backyards until we all get back to traveling more.
Thanks to Glad Doggett for editing services and for Anne Bonfert at World Traveler’s Blog for this prompt. #exploreyourbackyard
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