When I first learned that the theme for this years Mental Health Awareness Week was nature, I thought what shall I write? What speaks to me? Then I probed a little deeper to explore my feelings to tune in to a felt sense of what nature means to me and this is what arose.
Nature has always played an important part in my life, whether playing outside as a child, or part time and holiday working as a gardener’s assistant as a teenager. Come rain, or shine, warmth or cold enjoying and relishing every moment of the opportunity to be with nature.
To me nature does not exist only on land but also out to sea and there are several organizations designed to give opportunities to individuals to experience life at sea these include, Sea Sanctuary, The Jubilee Sailing Trust, Ocean Youth Trust and Tall Ships. Being on the ocean is a wonderful experience to explore one’s mental health and relationship with others as not only can we experience being in a group with a common aim but also affords us the opportunity to not only test our limits but also to literally expand our horizons.
I am reminded of times when my life was a little more challenging and I would sit on the beautiful Chesil Beach watching the waves falling and tumbling on to the shore and this would support me in finding my sense of self.
I would think to myself that whatever my difficulties were, the waves that tumbled upon the shore had been doing so for thousands of years and are likely to continue to do so for thousands more. This supported me in the realization that rather like King Canute I could not control the waves but that what I could control were my own choices in life and my ability to choose different paths in life.
These days my engagement with nature is for me to take the opportunity to be in the garden and explore the positive impact I can make upon nature in addition to greatly enjoyable walks and to take the opportunity to simply be in nature and to take in all the different sights and sounds that nature can offer.
Perhaps it is within the constantly changing stimulus of nature that we can really take the opportunity for our own personal growth, to find the courage to listen to ourselves and experience ourselves as we really are and through this take the opportunity to explore the changes we desire within our lives.
Over the period of the past year, I have established a weekly outdoor riverside coffee morning group, this has always operated within government guidelines and legislation. These coffee mornings have allowed to experience at first hand the passage of time and the changing of the seasons as we move towards new experiences, new meanings and new connections. In addition to the group members, we are joined by a variety of feathered friends engaged in much singing and general chatter.
We also have the gentle swooshing sounds of the river as it meanders by taking people to all different places and the sound of the wind whispering in the trees combined with the sight of the dappled sunlight dancing with the clouds. Perhaps it is in sitting and being in nature that we can start to find the strength to make those changes we desire in life.
This week I invite you to explore your relationship with nature and in so doing allow yourself the opportunity to explore your inner thoughts and feelings. I will be publishing my next blog later this week and welcome you to share your experiences of nature
Wishing good mental health to everyone.
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