There’s nothing more nourishing for the soul than spending time in nature. Whether it’s sitting in our backyard, a walk along the beach or through your national park, nothing is more soothing than being in the natural world. The sights and sounds, scents and feel of being outside can rejuvenate and inspire us quite unlike anything else.
Yet all too often the lure of technology means that many of us are spending less time in nature. We are so consumed in our hyper-connected world, getting caught up in the daily grind that we forget to stop and look at the wonderful gift around us that is nature.
Art gives us a great way to connect with nature. It helps us to shift our sense of self, diminishing the boundaries between self and others, which changes the nature of our social interactions. Research has shown that just by spending one minute looking up into a beautiful stand of eucalyptus trees, participants reported feeling less entitled and self-important. Another study found that nature experiences led to reduced stress, easier recovery from illness, better physical well-being in elderly people, and behavioral changes that improve mood and general well-being.
“THE CLEARING” glass art mural depicts how nature, whether it be an afternoon in your garden or a walk with a friend or loved one, can help clear our minds and have a positive effect on our mental health. It’s my hand-cut, fused glass way of sending all the whirlwind of life sailing away to allow us to focus on the hope and peace that we can only receive from the things, like nature, that make us truly happy.
The tiny fused glass pieces coming from the delicate white flower represent the tiny pieces of our thoughts that race through our minds, that can become so tangled if we don’t choose to let go of them. Think of allowing the wind to blow through and around you, taking with it some of the negativity that we so often carry.
So if you are feeling a bit weighed down with emotional stuff, go for a walk to reconnect with nature and allow the healing power of nature to remove some negativity. I highly recommend it!