Shedding Light

It is during these times of continual unrest as a nation and society in which a state of peace seems more and more difficult to achieve. A state of peace for our nation might seem a little out of reach right now, but the state of peace that is right within our reach is our own. In my opinion, things like peace and joy are, for the most part, a choice. They are things we must not simply hope to come by throughout our lives, but instead they are things we must chase after fervently.

One way that I chase after peace and joy in my daily life, that I would recommend to others as well, is by immersing myself in nature as much as possible. I have always loved nature in all its different forms, but it was not until recently that I realized how great the benefits of spending time in nature are. For one of my college classes, I had to read a book called The Nature Fix by Florence Williams, and essentially, this book was all about nature and how it “makes us happier, healthier, and more creative.” There was a myriad different study mentioned in the book that suggested a scientific truth in that statement about nature. I highly recommend reading this book if you are interested in such topics.

Through reading that book, I was able to see more clearly how nature has had a positive impact on me all my life; helping identify how it benefits me today. When I spend even a little bit of time in nature, I automatically feel a wave of calm, contentment, and peace. Even the smallest of things bring me peace as I notice them, such as the way sunlight shines through a window and projects itself as a cascade of whimsical shapes on a curtain, the way fresh dewdrops form on morning grass strands, or the way that a whistle of wind sounds and smells blowing through the trees of the backyard. The key to enjoying these things is slowing down enough to be able to notice them.

When I’m taking the time to enjoy the gifts of nature, the peace I find in doing so stems from feeling as if I am also enjoying the Creator of the creation as well, which certainly brings me a great “peace that passes all understanding.” Peace is something we are in dire need of, and I do not think it wise that we rely on others to provide or maintain that peace. We must choose peace every day for ourselves. Therefore, when you are stressed and in need of some peace, take some time to notice the small things that you enjoy. Perhaps seek out a beautiful sunset in the afternoon or observe the chirps of birds midday. No matter what, choose peace and think of ways to maintain it, nature-related or otherwise.

God bless, Cibola!