Summer is an excellent time to reconnect with nature.

Nature can be a soul-care practice in itself. There are unlimited benefits from connecting with nature, positively affecting body, mind and spirit.

What can you do in nature?

Simply spend time outside, and allow yourself to expand your awareness to all of your senses as you feel the breeze in your hair, smell the trees and plants, feel the sun on your face, appreciate all the beauty that surrounds you. Feel grateful for the gift of being alive. Sit at the base of a tree to feel more grounded to the earth, coming into your own center, calm and quiet. You can also take this a step further and connect to all living things, to the oneness of the earth and the universe. This can be a powerful spiritual practice, easily modified to whatever you need or believe. Take a walk and let your mind quiet as a moving meditation. Sometimes it is helpful to get the body moving to clear away some of our stress and loosen up stuck energy. Notice how the natural world is also moving and yet still. The trees move and sway but stay grounded. The water in the stream rushes by quickly, and yet continues a constant and steady flow that is both soothing and cleansing. Take what you need from these infinite gifts in nature, and apply them to your life to assist you on your journey.

What can nature do to help us?

The possibilities are endless as to the benefits of spending time in nature. It can help you to ground and center, relieve your stress, clear away unnecessary energetic baggage, and calm your mind. It can help to renew your sense of gratitude and connectedness with the earth. Just surrounding your self with the natural elements in nature can help to refresh your energy reserves, and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit. Being in nature can also help us to connect with the divine or spirit world. Take some time to sit in quiet reflection and meditation and notice any messages, sensations, or even the birds or animals that appear. Pay attention to any little signs that may be trying to tell you something, and appreciate all that comes your way. There is no separation between the spirit world and the natural world, except for in our own minds. In my book, Soul-iloquy: A Novel of Healing, Soul Connection & Passion, Lily frequently goes out in nature to connect with her soul and to understand what it is trying to tell her. Nature helps her to quiet her mind and be more in touch with her inner self and her deeper truth. There are so many gifts available to us in nature. If we take the time to embrace it and accept all that it can give us, the rewards are endless. Spend time each day connecting with nature.

You'll be amazed by the miracles that happen in the great outdoors!