School’s out for summer & the weeks of July & August stretch in front of us with the promise of holidays & more free time {& hopefully amazing sunshine too!}
I didn’t realise until recently just how important escaping to the great outdoors is for me. And I am not alone- especially in this season!
‘Some old fashioned things like fresh air & sunshine are hard to beat’
(Laura Ingalls Wilder)
‘Live in the sunshine
Swim in the sea
Drink in the wild air’
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)
The Norwegians have a word friluftsliv literally meaning ‘free air life’ which sounds much more poetic than ‘outdoors’
Shinrin-yoku in Japanese means bathing in the forest literally or figuratively ie the relaxation gained from soaking in the atmosphere of the forest.
There’s nothing like a walk along the beach or in the hills or woods to clear our minds & refresh our perspective.
Getting out in nature beyond wifi helps us unplug & unwind.
Life feels better barefoot, detached from technology, surrounded by the God-made world. And sometimes standing on our doorstep looking up at the stars is enough to shift perspective. Or sitting in our garden or local park.
Being outdoors has been proven to promote relaxation & lower tension & blood pressure. But for me, time in nature means much more than that. I feel connected with God. For, ‘Creation is filled with signs that point to the Creator’
His finger prints are seen across our amazing world- designed & hand-made by Him.
‘From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings’
(Laura Story)
We can ‘Stop look around & praise the Name of Him who made it all’ {as engraved on a rock in Tollymore}
It’s like therapy – creation therapy!
And we feel blessed & grateful.
It’s not that God isn’t speaking. In everyday life but often there’s just too much noise to hear. We need to get away from technology & distractions & soak in the God-made environment.
Then it’ll be quiet enough for us to hear Him whisper,‘Be still & know that I AM God’ (Psalm 46:10)
And we humbly respond:
‘LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens’
(Psalm 8:1 NIV)
So this summer, wherever you go,whatever the weather, make sure you have some creation therapy!
Blessings,
Ruth x
Blessed! 