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Appreciating nature
“Nature’s beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude.”
- Louie Schwartzberg
When was the last time you were completely surrounded by nature? Perhaps you were in a forest or park, or maybe in the mountains. Nature is full of beauty, wonder and awe. If you have ever looked up at the stars on a clear night, far away from the urban and suburban lights, you hopefully understand where I am coming from. There isn’t anything quite more naturally inspiring than nature.
I am fascinated by nature. My favorite things to do involve being immersed in nature. Swimming in the ocean. Hiking in the woods. Running through a forest preserve. I also love standing in the rain and allowing it to bathe me in its essence. It feels cleansing. Most of my favorite pictures of the thousands I have stored in the cloud were all taken in nature. I admit, I’m a tree hugger. Seriously, I walk up to trees and literally hug them! 😁
My earliest memories of appreciating nature is when I would walk down the railroad tracks by my house when I was growing up. I loved the silence, except for the sounds of nature. Trees rustling in the wind. Birds chirping. I took those walks when I was feeling down, usually because of a spat with my parents or siblings. It was a great way to clear my head and maybe even shed some tears along the way. The best part is I…