Blog by Emma Skolozdra
Happy growing season!
The growing season (spanning from May-October) is about more than the proper time to plant fruits and vegetables. That’s part of it, yes, but there is a world of growth beyond agriculture.
Outside of your bedroom walls, the earth is constantly providing. Its creatures are working in unison to create harmony, an energy so perfect that if you aren’t careful, you won’t realize it’s there taking care of us at all. But, you’d sure notice if it stopped. Our connection to nature gives us life – it’s time to give back to the earth and all its intricacies.
An easy way to begin fostering that connection is through learning to live mindfully. You may do this by simply spending time outside – I like to do so barefoot – and listening, watching. Take the time to step out of the office and into the woods, and breathe. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, experience vivid color, lay in the dirt and feel its heartbeat.
Do you remember the magic you felt playing outside when you were a kid? Everything felt like a fairytale back then – a gust of wind, an ant crawling through the grass, a collection of twigs. That whimsy still exists; you just may have forgotten how to tap into it, how to be conscious of earth’s energy and work with it, instead of against.
Once you are feeling more grounded, centered, you may want to practice gratitude. Thank the earth for the ground that holds you, the plants that feed you, the oxygen filling your lungs. Nature truly does so much for us, and its generosity deserves recognition. Channel your child self once again – watch for patterns in clouds, play in the leaves, make potions in the grass. The earth yearns to be loved, noticed.
Now that you have begun your relationship with Earth, be sure to maintain it. Take care of your land. Pick up trash. Take the spider outside, instead of harming it. Recycle. Maybe even research eco-friendly products and ways to live in your community. Start a garden, if it calls to you. But do so with intention. If you are a gardener, pay extra attention to the earth’s rhythms. Take your time as you harvest each crop. Outdoor maintenance was meant to be a mindful practice, a devotional act even. To a higher power, to nature, to yourself. If you are going to take something from the earth, make sure to give it back. This might look like leaving an offering, planting a handful of seeds, telling a story, or cleaning up the area.
For as long as you live, you will always have nature to turn to. Let it be your anchor, your lifeline, your roots. People may come and go, but you’ll always have the sunshine. You’ll always have the water. You can always count on the rustle of the trees, the chirps of the birds. So continue nurturing the earth – and let it nurture you.