3 Powerful Life Lessons We Can Learn From Nature
“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better”.-Albert Einstein.
What’s going through your mind when you read this quote? Well, it appears to be an enigma for most of us.
Undoubtedly, we are living in a fast-paced world in which technology plays a significant role in our lives. Thus, the majority of us are disconnected from nature. Consequently, people get lost in this chaotic world and immerse themselves in the spending culture. The swift shift of technology transforms us to be insensible towards nature as well as the capitalist world that we live in, it is alarming for our future generation.
According to Statista (2021), 5 to 6 hours is the average time spent on the phone on the daily basis in the United States. The data shows that now more than ever, people use their phone constantly to stay connected with others. Furthermore, National Recreation and Park Association reported that, “Children today spend less time outdoors than any other generation, devoting only four to seven minutes to unstructured outdoor play per day while spending an average of seven and a half hours in front of electronic media”. Unfortunately, it diminishes the relationship between people and nature.
For this reason, we can’t clearly grasp immediately what nature is trying to teach us because it does not come into our mind naturally to contemplate about our connection with nature. However, nature has always been there for us to share life’s wisdom and it has a healing force that can soothe and ground us. By having a connection with nature, we begin to realize that we need it for our livelihood. Its magic is undeniably vital for us as we need it for our survival. Within this digital era, “Nature Journaling” can be our solution to recharge and connect with nature. It is an impactful and powerful practice to have a deep connection with nature by being outdoors and observing nature, we will be astonished by its beauty, complexity, and stories.
Nature journaling favors us to take a deep close to the natural world (i.e., plants, trees, birds, etc.). This observation helps us to be more appreciative of its existence and beauty and it certainly offers a meaningful experience with nature.
As nature nurtures us with its unparalleled wisdom, here are 3 life lessons that you can learn from nature:
1. Let go of things that no longer serve you
Be like a tree, and let the dead leaves drop.” -Rumi
We tend to hold on to something that is “familiar” to us such as our negative thoughts, bad habits, limiting beliefs, and even toxic relationships, you name it, because we are accustomed to it and we hold on to these things because we think its good for us however it can drain our energy and it hinders us to move forward. Like trees, they let go all the dead leaves which they know it’s time to “let them go” because they know that new leaves will emerge.
Start to let go of the things that are no longer serving you for the better because you have to remember that there will be new things come your way.
2. Nature does not hurry
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” — Lao Tzu
This is a crucial life lesson from nature due to our fast-paced life nowadays, it is a huge reminder for all of us that nature has its own timing, it recognizes its own path or journey with its rhythm. So, do not feel pressured on anything, just because your friend obtained a higher education degree, engaged, got married, and the list goes on… Focus only on your own journey and time because at the end everyone’s right timing is different. For instance, spring, summer, autumn, and winter change at the right time and the right moment with no rush. So, no need to compare your time with other, just remember that we have our own schedule and that’s what is best for us.
3. Be yourself and embrace your imperfections
“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful” — Alice Walker
In nature, perfection doesn’t really exist but we will always be mesmerized by its beauty. Let go of perfectionism is one of the most important life lesson that we can learn from nature. Pefectionism is only our illusion and it is unattainable to achieve in which it is unhealthy for our body, mind, and soul.
Therefore, embrace our imperfections thus perfection is really subjective for all of us. As Dita Von Teese said “You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who hates peaches”. That’s why, just, focus on being the best version of yourself.
If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us”.
— Cassandra Linares
On that note, we are indeed deeply connected and rooted with nature therefore we need to take good care of it as well as maintaining a good relationship with it. As currently, we are facing uncertain times, this is the time for us to reconnect, rebuild our connection with mother nature, and ponder what kind of connection do you want to have with nature. So what have you done today to connect with nature?
