Nurture Nature

It’s been a while since my last blog post. In the spring I went to a workshop and the importance of staying on top of social media as an author was emphasized. I took it to heart, joined three more social media sites, created a bunch of images on Canva, and started posting every day. In just two weeks, I was thoroughly worn out and completely unmotivated to even think about trying to write something substantial and worth sharing in a newsletter.

            I thought it would pass after a week off. Then two weeks. Then a month. But it didn’t pass. It wasn’t writer’s block. I had plenty of ideas and lots I wanted to say. But the drive to share was gone. So, I did what I always do when everyday life seems too much to handle. I submerged myself in nature.

            I sat out by my fire pit and had a drum circle with my family. We took a vacation to the beach, and I saw more wildlife in their natural surroundings that one week than I have ever seen in my lifetime. But my favorite of all was night swimming, gazing up at the endless sky and letting the blanket of night wrap me in her arms. It felt like what I imagine it must be like in the womb. I was at peace; all the loud thoughts in my mind quieted. I was fully present and one hundred percent alive.

            The power of nature to heal cannot be stated enough. Nature nurtures our soul in a way that nothing else can. For me, nature is my spirituality. Earth is my church. I feel comforted surrounded by trees, so deep into the forest that I can’t see or hear the rest of the world. Being rocked by the waves in the ocean always soothes me. I have not traveled nor experienced as much of this magnificent planet yet as I would like. But I hope to someday.

            As I slowly make my return to the world of technology, social media, and the like, I know what I bring to the table will look different than most authors. I am not fulfilled by endless sharing on social media. I do not find joy in attempting to get likes, shares, and retweets. And I just can’t bring myself to do these things when it doesn’t align with my soul. I do enjoy sharing through my newsletter and blog, so will do that as often as I feel I have something to share.  

I’ve known for a long time my purpose this lifetime is to make a difference in the lives of children. The editor of the second book in my middle grade series said about the concepts throughout the book: “If I could have been taught this as a child, how different my life would be now. If every child was taught this the world would be a VERY different place.” Hearing that meant so much to me. I believe that the right people will find my books and it will make a difference for them. As for now, I am continuing to do what does bring me joy, which is writing and creating magical stories. I trust that the universe will take care of the rest.

I hope you find time to submerse yourself in nature and enjoy all the beauty Earth has to offer. Take time to let nature nurture you. And nurture nature in return.