J eanAnn’sJ ourney
Mother Nature's Magic bathing doesn’t require water, bub-
dilemmas that seem impossibly over-
ble bath, or a soaking tub. It simply
whelming often appear as if by magic.
requires that you spend time in nature
Combine walking with nature-focus
where your mind can meander with
and epiphanies can happen.
no predestined intention. The only
Spending time outdoors can also help
requirement is that you slow down his past January I ran into
us sleep better at night. The natural
and notice. As you wander through
that brick wall known as,
rhythms of light and dark can be dis-
the woods or park, be mindful of the
The Flu. It was a hard hit
torted by our modern lifestyle of con-
scent of blooming honeysuckle. Pay
that put me in bed for over a week.
stant, artificial lighting. Going outside
attention to how the wind feels as it
When The Flu hits, you have no deci-
to watch the sunrise or sunset, or to
blows across your skin. Touch a tree
sions to make; it makes them for you.
gaze at the stars, can help to reset our
and observe how rough or smooth the
The only thing to do is to wait until
internal clock. Awareness of weather
bark feels on your hand. Look up and
The Flu says, “You can get up now.”
also keeps our days and months from
watch as birds fly above you. Listen as
blending into each other. When we
While lying in bed day after day, I had
leaves crunch under your boots, as a
spend our lives in a controlled cli-
time to think about what I want 2020
waterfall cascades into the river, and
mate, every day feels the same and
to look like. Of course I’ll keep dancing.
as a songbird alerts her family of your
we mindlessly miss the experience of
presence. Be awed while watching
the seasons. This can lead to a loss of
butterflies puddle at the river bank,
perspective.
T
Of course I’ll continue to sew, crochet, paint, and write; but what needs to change to make my life fuller, happier, healthier? The answer I came up with is to spend more time outside. Like most people I know, my life in work and play demands indoor time. Yet being in na-
as bees flit from flower to flower, and as water bugs dive into the lake. Walk barefoot to absorb electrons from the earth, and dip your toes into the icy water of a mountain stream.
This spring, take a walk in the woods to look for tiny wildflowers popping up to say, “Hello.” Breathe in the fresh, cool air, and feel inspired at a waterfall. What you’ll find as you lose
ture—surrounded by growing, buzzing,
An important component of forest
yourself in nature is—yourself. Go
tweeting, blooming, and other enchant-
bathing is in the action of walking.
outside, follow your nose, and accept
ing mysteries—has so many benefits
Walking is considered to be the single
the healing gift of outdoor wonder.
good for our body and soul; outdoor
most important thing we can do to
time is worth making a priority.
improve our health. Along with reduc-
In the 1990s, the Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku began. As many Japanese traditions follow common sense, simplicity, intention, and authenticity, this practice, which translates into “forest bathing” is another way to live with these virtuous ideals. Forest 18
thesofiamagazine.com | March 2020
ing stress, managing our weight, and warding off many diseases, walking inspires creative thinking by delivering more blood flow to the brain. Without the distractions of cell phones, emails, and to-do lists, your mind is free to unconsciously process ideas and predicaments. Answers to questions and
Please send your thoughts and ideas to me at jeananntaylor @rewnc.com
