Wild, Wilder, Wilderness

Loved this quote and the painting it was on. I experienced the feeling of the heartbeat of the land when I visited Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora, Colorado a while ago. What a great idea to have nature in the middle of cityscape. Surely a place like that lends a feeling of well-being to anyone who gets to drive past, look at, utilize, experience or immerse themselves in it.

Near where I live is a riparian preserve, amidst the desert landscapes and suburbs and traffic. Less than a mile’s walk away finds me wandering quiet paths, breathing slightly more humid air, sighting rabbits, observing birds and laughing at various critters. My heart seems to tune itself to the heartbeat of the earth as I walk there. My mind quiets. Thoughts settle out. I see things clearer. It’s like a reboot for my soul.

I was lucky enough to grow up in the foothills, where a hike was five minutes away, and a cookout in the mountains for an evening meal was only half an hour away. We even took off for breakfast in the mountains at least once or twice a year. There’s nothing else like mountain air to whet your appetite. Cooking and eating outdoors is the best seasoning I’ve ever tasted.

I am one of those who can’t live without wild things. If I remember to get my daily dose of nature, of wildness in one form or another, then life flows smoother and feels happier. The trick is to remember and make time for this most important of daily rituals.

Do you touch base with nature every day? Does it make a difference in your life?