NATURE HEALS

 Of all suffering, it is in our minds that we suffer the most. It’s safe to say that once you conquer your mind, you conquer life itself. How?

Nature.

Nature is the great healer that wipes the slate clean, reminding us that nothing is ever that serious. Life shoves its importance down our throats every waking moment, and if we live long enough, we lose touch with what is real and what is not.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Can you remember the first time you saw a car? No? How about the first time you saw a horse? Or a lion?

You were probably a child then. But if you’re anything like me, I remember the exact emotions I had the first time I saw a lion — the smell of the air, the atmosphere of that day, the clothes I wore. Most importantly, I remember the overwhelming sense of wonder that engulfed me for weeks afterward.

We all have our lions — those moments of nature that stay with us, igniting curiosity and activating all our senses. As children, the world was new, and everything felt like a discovery. But where did that sense of wonder go?

The short answer: we got used to things. It’s hard to be fascinated by your grandfather’s cow when you’ve been seeing it for twelve years, right?

A Return to Nature

Nature is where it all starts. We come from atoms, and one day, we will disintegrate back into atoms, finding our freedom in the vastness of nature once again — perhaps even becoming the building blocks of another life. In simpler terms, we came from dust, and to dust we shall return.

I overthink everything. Every little detail must be connected to something bigger. That’s why it’s easy for me to hold on to my sense of wonder. Every evening, I take long walks, observing everything — ants, birds, stray dogs (some of which are definitely not pet-friendly), passing cars, couples, families, and fellow solo walkers like me.

If someone documented my walks, I might look like a madman, stopping to watch the smallest things. But I don’t care. I’ve found that walking clears my mind in ways I don’t fully understand. When my thoughts are heavy, I return from a walk feeling lighter. And if I walk consistently, I start taking life less seriously.

People ask if walking makes me happy. The answer is no. Nothing makes you happy. Happiness is not a state; it’s a transformation. When I overthink careers, relationships, or life in general, I am certainly not happy. But when I walk, and my mind clears, I’m not exactly happy either — just relieved.

Happiness is not about constantly getting what you want. It’s about being okay whether you get it or not. And trust me, life will serve you some painful losses. You can choose to live in a fantasy where everything works out, but that’s coping, not happiness.

If you reduce your wants, you are already a few steps closer to contentment. And I will take content over depression any day.

Lessons from a Bird

There was a time I hit rock bottom — one of many. I had failed to pay rent for nearly six months. My landlord had finally had enough and locked me out. Desperate, I wandered outside, my mind cluttered with regrets and guilt, trying to think of a solution. But my thoughts were too jumbled to find one.

I went for a walk, not really looking at anything, just letting my feet carry me. Eventually, exhausted, I sat under a large tree.

Then, I heard it — a sharp, violent chirping. A small yellow bird with a black chest flitted above me, chirping incessantly as if trying to send a message. I scanned the ground, wondering if there was a snake nearby. But there was only one bird. When birds spot danger, they usually gather in numbers.

Annoyed, I searched for a small rock to drive it away. But just as I was about to throw it, I heard a softer sound — a faint, helpless cry. Looking up, I saw a tiny fledgling stuck on a thorny branch, unable to free itself. The mother bird wasn’t making noise for nothing; she was calling for help.

I climbed the tree, the trunk just big enough to support me. Carefully, I freed the little bird and placed it back in its nest. The mother bird hovered inches from me the entire time, trusting that I wouldn’t harm her chick.

I sat back down and watched them. What felt like an hour turned out to be three. And in those three hours, I hadn’t thought about my problems. My mind had been as clear as the sky above me.

Under that tree, I found my solution. I hadn’t considered asking for help — from my brothers, my sisters, my friends. If the mother bird could call for aid, why couldn’t I?

That night, I slept in my bed, grateful. And that was the day I convinced myself that nature has all the answers. So far, I have no complaints.

The Call of the Wild

Vincent Van Gogh, the artist who created over 2,000 masterpieces but died penniless, found solace in nature. Perhaps it was because he was a painter, and nature is where artists find inspiration.

In a letter to his brother, Theo, he wrote: “Always continue walking a lot and loving nature, for that’s the real way to learn to understand art better and better. Painters understand nature and love it and teach us to see.”

In another letter, he said, “If one truly loves nature, one finds beauty everywhere.” And isn’t that the truth?

The next time life feels overwhelming, turn off your phone. Step outside. Walk around your neighborhood — not with a destination, but with open eyes. Observe the breeze, the birds, the butterflies, the people, the fresh air, the grass beneath your feet. Don’t walk like someone heading somewhere. Walk mindlessly.

And let nature do the rest.

If God gave us minds that can be filled with fear, insecurities, and bitterness, He also gave us the ultimate antidote — Mother Nature.