It’s no lie that life can be stressful. Over the past few weeks I have literally been walking through the fire. Bombarded with one challenge after the other, I find myself crying out to God, almost daily “how much more can I possibly take?” Thankfully, the old saying “God works in mysterious ways” has proved itself to be truth as blessings have crept up as I wade through the trials.

When I was about five years old living in Germany, my family and I went on a hike. These German forests were the real deal. Towering oaks surrounded us which seemed to be hundreds of years old. These were the same forests that Roman armies marched through over a thousands years ago as they fought for power across the European continent and beyond. As I looked up, I remember seeing a canopy of leaves and specks of blue sky were barely visible. There was a deep hush and The sounds of birds chirping echoed for miles. It was magical..until we got lost. The majestic trees suddenly seemed menacing and the canopy of leaves resembled a cage. I imagined we would be trapped there forever and devoured by wild animals. Of course that didn’t happen and I’m sure we made it out in a reasonable amount of time. But to my five year old mind- it felt like an eternity. 

Growing up, I never was much a camping and hiking kind of girl. I loved the city and preferred the concrete jungle to adventures in the woods. It could be that repressed childhood memory of getting lost in the woods, who knows. I simply wasn’t into it.

Oddly enough, I now live in the “garden isle” which is what they call Kauai since it’s (no surprise) very green. On Maui, I was constantly surrounded by panoramic views of the ocean. Here on Kauai, every direction I look is framed by towering green peaks and lush valleys. My first month on the job, I was tasked with supervising a community service project at a botanical garden. It was like walking into a green wonderland. We drove deep into a valley and reached a garden surrounded by a stream. After reaching our destination, we got ready to start pulling weeds when it suddenly started pouring rain.

I spent the day pulling weeds in a very muddy garden dodging frequent rain showers. A few years ago, this would have been pure misery, Yet, I found it oddly therapeutic. Nature can often be harsh, messy and uncomfortable but it doesn’t judge. There’s no need for pretentions and I found that incredibly freeing. Even the other participants seemed to relax into their tasks and opened up in the group therapy session that followed in ways that would probably have been impossible in another setting. Being in nature alone was therapeutic and I found a new truth and outlet that I wasn’t seeking. 

Since then, I constantly look for opportunities to discover new trails, hikes and paths. Something about spending time free from the noise of everyday life allows me to be extra present and honest with myself. It has also presented opportunities to connect with my six year old and get exercise while we appreciate God’s creation. The simple joy of playing hide and seek on a wooded path, bird watching and skipping with joy with nobody around to stare has been a healthy alternative to our never ending addiction to our electronic devices. Not that I’m hating on them. I’m using one as I type yet it’s been such a healthy balance to spend time playing in nature. Anyway, if you’re looking to ramp up your mindfulness practice to another level, get out there and explore the green spaces in your community. Parks, trails, botanical gardens- seek them out and enjoy the process.