Revere: (verb) feel deep respect or admiration for (something) People pulling bear cubs out of a tree to take a selfie, resulting in one of the cubs being abandoned to fend for itself. Grown men dislodging ancient rock formations in a National Recreation Area. These were just two scenarios that made national headlines just days before Earth Day, 2024. A few weeks ago, millions of Federal Tax dollars were spent to “renourish” one of the popular beaches in North Carolina. Just days later, the sand that was excavated from the ocean floor and piled up on the beach was being swept back into the ocean. Dolphins who frolicked and swam in masses were nowhere to be found. While many people will celebrate Earth Day this year by planting a tree, picking up litter, or some other activity aimed at benefiting the planet, do we need to do more, and go deeper? In her book, Sacred Nature: Restoring Our Ancient Bond with the Natural World, Karen Armstrong explores how we have “ransacked nature, treating it as a mere resource, because over the last 500 years we have cultivated a worldview that is very different from that of our forebears.” Armstrong, a recognized religious historian, describes how modern-day religion has created a rift between humans and nature. She also details the role spirituality plays in creating a reverent relationship with our natural world and specific practices that can help us restore our bond. So maybe this Earth Day, we take time to pause and examine our behavior and thoughts about the natural world we share. Maybe we consider treating the plants, trees, and waterways near us as we would a dear friend. A friend we enjoy being with, a friend we support and cherish. Ready to reconnect with Mother Nature on a deeper level? Download Get In Step With Nature now to learn how a simple daily walking practice can restore and strengthen our bond with the natural world. Free for kindleunlimited subscribers!
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Photo Credit: ©Abed Ismail "Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world." -Dacher Keltner, Awe: The Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life Less than ten days ago on Easter Sunday, thousands gathered along the miles-long Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina to witness the breathtaking sunrise. Today, something very similar is happening as towns along the path of the solar eclipse prepare for crowds eager to witness the rare spectacle of the moon covering the sun in broad daylight. Spiritual leaders suggest that this unique event presents an opportunity for personal growth, as the veil between worlds opens, allowing us to release what no longer serves us and manifest our desires. Photo Credit: © Susan Allison-Dean During the pandemic, our usual activities like concerts, shopping, and going to school or work were severely restricted. The confinement and fear of indoor spaces triggered a survival response within many of us, known as biophilia-a desire to commune with nature.
As pandemic restrictions eased, people flocked to parks - local, state, and national. By 10 am, parks were already declaring themselves "Full" or "At Capacity" on social media. Yellowstone reported soaring attendance up by 30 percent. Could the solace people found in Mother Nature during difficult times be fueling the increasing desire to immerse ourselves in the natural world? Do these remarkable events—stunning sunrises, rare cosmic phenomena, and vibrant spring blooms—have a profound impact on our minds, bodies, and souls? The science says yes. We think so too. Share your thoughts on how these recent celestial events are impacting you in the comments below. We would love to read them! Dr. Donna Gaffney is a psychotherapist, author, and nurse researcher focused on mental health. Her latest book, "Courageous Well-Being for Nurses: Strategies for Renewal" (Johns Hopkins Press), is packed with tips to boost your well-being—even if you're not a nurse. Susan Allison-Dean is a Board Certified Advanced Holistic Nurse, Writer and Cetacean advocate. Want to develop a deeper connection with nature? Check out her offerings at www.TheNatureNurse.com Miley Cyrus recently won a Grammy for her hit song Flowers, where she poignantly shared that buying herself flowers was a form of self-love, empowerment, and healing from a relationship that didn’t work out. These are all great reasons to tap into the wellspring of joy and vibrancy that Mother Nature offers us. But, it’s not why I buy myself flowers.
My husband is happy to buy me flowers and does so on special occasions. Sometimes he will pick a flower from the garden and place it in a bud vase by the kitchen sink for us to enjoy. He knows, however, that I enjoy picking out my flowers, so he supports me in buying and growing lots of them. As an empath (highly sensitive person) and clairsentient, I can tap into the energy of my surroundings and other living beings. So, when I go to a store and pass by the plant section, I can sense the ones that are dying, and it feels sad. It boggles my mind to see shoppers pick them up and put them in their carts. On the flip side, I am drawn to the ones that are full of energy and light, and those are the ones that I take home. They fill my day with a spark of joy! Plants have consciousness too. Cleve Backster is famously known for discovering through a polygraph machine that plants can detect the thoughts and intentions of humans. He did this by attaching a polygraph machine to a dracaena plant in his office. As soon as he prepared to light a leaf on fire, the polygraph registered the stress. Our interconnectedness with our natural world is a lost relationship in today’s high-tech, fast-paced world. This void is impacting us in many ways, science is showing, mainly in our emotional and mental health. Connecting and being in harmony with Mother Nature can greatly benefit our holistic health. Just a few examples include reducing stress, sleep enhancement, decreasing loneliness and even making us more creative. Ready to give it a try? Visit your local florist, nursery, or grocer who sells flowers and slowly just be present with the flowers. Try and tune into your inner instinct to see which ones call you. Not everyone is clairsentient, but you may experience a deeper appreciation of which ones you enjoy the most. This is why I buy my own flowers. I know the ones I pick out myself are enhancing my energy. Whatever the reason, enjoy buying yourself flowers this Valentine’s Day. Interested in learning more about how to connect with Mother Nature to live a more joyful, vibrant awe-inspiring life? Sign up for the waiting list for my next Unearth Your True Nature Program where I will teach you how to discover your hidden senses and the gifts that come when you use them to connect with the natural world. LINK The news is grim. According to the World Wildlife Foundation, wildlife populations have declined by an average of 69% since 1970. Those of us who spend significant time outdoors connecting with nature have seen these magnificent beings dwindling right before our eyes. But there is hope for those who remain, despite their small populations. Let’s take a look at some fierce, resilient wildlife species and how humans can help. When I was a kid, I remember the news stories telling us that our national bird, the bald eagle, was under the threat of extinction. Perhaps you remember this too? The bird that proudly represents America’s soaring spirit was estimated to only have 487 nesting pairs in 1963, down from 100,000 in 1782. The bald eagle was placed on the Endangered Species list. With collective efforts including eliminating DDT a deadly pesticide, as well as establishing conservation initiatives across the country, the bald eagle is now off the endangered species list and thriving. The two key factors that led to this recovery were eliminating harm and facilitating a healthy environment. Today I see bald eagles soar in my own neighborhood, nesting in the trees in my nearby state park, and I even had one dive and sweep just above my head while I was stand-up paddleboarding on a local lake! The sense of freedom they exude as they glide above us in the sky is palpable. The resilience they have demonstrated also makes them worthy of being America’s iconic symbol. Each of us can help the other species that are threatened today. There are over 2000 species of wildlife on the Endangered list today. Actions as simple as eliminating spraying toxic chemicals on our properties while simultaneously planting nourishing plants are one example of something many of us in the United States can do. This summer, for example, my husband and I noticed an unfamiliar bee repeatedly feeding on the canna flowers we planted in a container on our patio. The large bee, with distinct yellow stripes along its back, became a frequent visitor. I took a picture with my smartphone then used the identifying button on the phone and found out it was an American Bumblebee. Investigating further, I learned this was once the most common bumblebee in America. However, its population has decreased by 89% across the United States in the past two decades. Becoming familiar with our wildlife neighbors, and taking action to help them survive and thrive, may help us revive the precious remaining animals and insects for future generations.
To learn more about what actions you can take, consider visiting your local wildlife organizations, national organizations, and global organizations. Simply google wildlife conservation, endangered wildlife species, and conservation groups to find information and see which efforts resonate most with you. |
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