My mind used to be typical - cluttered, overactive, and maybe a wee bit neurotic. :)

In my 30’s my life fell apart and, in an effort to find some inner peace, I took up meditation. I started by attending an intensive retreat and then I meditated an hour every morning for years. I liked the ritual of it, and how it slowed me down and taught me about myself.

But my mind was still busy, noisy, and not so peaceful. I kept meditating, but I gave up the idea that my mind could be any different.

Five years into meditating, I got into deep nature connection. After trying out a couple of the foundational practices for a couple of weeks - essentially sitting outside, paying attention to nature through my senses (what I now call the most ancient form of meditation) - something radical happened. My mind went completely silent. I didn’t even know this was a thing!

It was a long, delicious moment during which my thinking stopped. There was no reviewing the past, no planning the future. There was no judgment, criticism, shame, doubt, anxiety. No thoughts. Just silence and space. In the silence and space, I experienced radiant sparkly peace.

It was the most spectacular moment of my life up to that point. I thought it was a one-off thing. But those moments came with increased frequency over the weeks and months. Over time, I noticed that my mind was becoming more relaxed and peaceful all the time; its baseline setting was changing.

It turns out that this is just what happens (and I thought I was special!). Nature connection re-wires our brains, waking up neural pathways that have gone dormant living as busy, stressed out, tech-addicted, domesticated humans.

Let that sink in…Simply being outside for short periods of time on a consistent basis paying attention to the wonders of nature (which is very fun and delightful in its own right) effortlessly brings peace and quiet to the human mind!

In my experience, there is nothing that affects the quality of my life more than the quality of what’s happening inside my own head. Happy, relaxed, peaceful head = happy, relaxed, peaceful life (even in the midst of a crazy world).

What a crazy and scary time we are living in. The tidal wave of horror coming from the White House is A LOT to handle. I want to offer you a deliciously subversive way to respond to the madness...

Go outside and intentionally connect with Mama Earth. Even a few minutes makes a difference!

When you live in deep relationship with nature, you experience a sense of belonging that makes you stronger. Your beauty and wholeness are reflected back to you. You know, in your bones, that you are inseparable from nature, that you ARE nature.

This communion enables you to reclaim the power and pleasure of your femininity, which sends a potent message: Dear patriarchy, I’ve had enough. Go f*ck yourself.

We have been systematically cut off from nature as a way to keep us small, tame, and full of self doubt while vested economic interests destroy our beloved lands, waters, and more-than-human family for money.

I am So Over It. Are you with me?

I was first introduced to deep nature connection during a Permaculture course. The course leader had two guest teachers talk about it and then lead us through a few experiential exercises. The first exercise was to sit outside and pay attention to what was happening around me for 20 minutes. Simple, right?

Yes, and... those 20 minutes changed my life! I felt a wise, ancient, untamed part of me stir ever so slightly from her slumber.

I had known for a long time that the way we live as modern-day humans doesn’t make any sense and that we are supposed to be in close relationship with our human and our more-than-human relations. I also knew, conceptually, that I was nature, that I was another animal living among trillions of others on Mama Earth.

Yet, I felt separate, like I was an outsider looking in. The buildings, screens, and hectic pace of life made a real relationship with nature seem impossible. On top of that, I was often stressed out, overwhelmed, and depleted. Weeks would fly by during which I felt like I was nothing more than a disembodied head doing, doing, doing all day long. I felt like was missing out on the juice and joy of life.

I longed to slow down, get out of my head, be present for my life, experience my kinship with nature, and feel alive and happy. I wanted this everyday, but had no idea how to get it.

Then I sat outside for 20 minutes and the wise, ancient, untamed one in me recognized that deep nature connection would give me all of that and more. It would give me what I most wanted – a life of genuine fulfillment.

In the spirit of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s Ohenton Karihwatehkwen or “Words That Come Before All Else”, I have written my own personal thanksgiving address….

I give thanks for the people in my life, those who are in it now, those who filled it in the past, and those who will make it up in the future. For my cheerleaders, teachers, witnesses, caregivers, and role models, too many to name; for those who trust me, look to me for inspiration, and say yes to my support; for companions and playmates; for deep wells of love, synergy, and magic; for music, dance, laughter, yoga, words, art, and infrastructure. I am so grateful for the people.
 
I give thanks for the Earth. For providing me solid ground and refuge for as long as I can remember; for astonishing beauty; for wonder; for keeping my heart true and open; for modeling generosity, perseverance, and resilience; for supplying me everything I need; for massive rocks, sensual contours, and palpable silence; for being my very favorite planet. I am so grateful for the Earth.

I give thanks for the water. For supporting life on Earth; for hydrating my body and cleansing my spirit; for over and over inviting me to dive in; for oceans, lakes, rivers, hot springs, rain, glaciers, clouds, snow, and fog; for freedom of movement and wild abandon; for awe and delight; for vastness, depth, and flow. I am so grateful for the water.
 
I give thanks for the plants and the trees. For diversity of size, shape, texture, niche, and color; for nourishing my every cell with nutrients and oxygen; for stabilizing the soil; for tools, medicine, shelter, and habitat; for peace, stillness, and magnificence; for never holding back; for abundance; for fruits, roots, and flowers; for delicious fragrances; for strength; for a thousand shades of green. I am so grateful for the plants and the trees.
 
I give thanks for the fungi. For decomposing even the most hideous stuff; for helping me be healthy and for teaching me new things; for other-worldliness; for keeping me on my toes; for nurturing the trees; for balance. I am so grateful for the fungi.

I give thanks for the animals. For filling my life with joy and amazement; for modeling wildness, self-sufficiency, acceptance, and surrender; for bellows and songs, growls and snorts; for increasing my capacity for empathy; for providing food, clothing, and support; for keeping me humble and deeply in love; for naked self-expression. I am so grateful for the animals.
 
I give thanks for the wind. For caressing my skin and making me feel vibrant and alive; for purifying the air; for rustling the grasses and leaves; for sowing seeds; for waves and power; for keeping me appreciative of safety and protection; for being the messenger of change. I am so grateful for the wind.
 
I give thanks for the moon and the stars. For reflecting to me my own wholeness and light; for steadiness and clarity; for bringing out the bats, owls, and coyotes; for keeping things in perspective; for helping me stay oriented; for igniting passion, curiosity, and lofty visions. I am so grateful for the moon and the stars.
 
I give thanks for the sun. For powering life on this planet; for warmth and light; for seasons and for cycles; for vivid color; for dappled shadows on the ground; for sunrises and sunsets; for reliability and longevity; for fire. I am so grateful for the sun.

I give thanks for the ancestors. For those who tended the Earth so that I may live today; for those who protected lands, planted trees, and cared for soils; for those who worked in service of a far-reaching life-giving vision at the cost of short-term personal gain; for those who passed down essential stories, teachings, and traditions; for those who loved and mentored the children. I am so grateful for the ancestors.
 
I give thanks for all the offspring of all species yet to be born. For providing me a constant source of motivation; for giving my work in this world purpose and meaning. I am so grateful for all the beings still to come.
 
I give thanks for the Creator/Spirit/Truth/Universe (I’m still searching for the right name!). For the gift of Life moving in, as, and through me simply and mysteriously; for being in control; for being trustworthy; for meeting me on my growing edge; for being an ever-present silent space to rest in; for being fierce, wise, and indifferent; for grace; for expressing through me with creativity and enthusiasm; for waking up within me; for loving me madly. I am so grateful for Life.