Spring Nurtured by Nature

How fortunate am I that time in nature feels like medicine for the soul? Even a simple, spontaneous hike along one of my favorite trails, getting lost in the magic of spring emerging in the woods, does wonders for my mental health. It’s where time stops, the chaos of the outside world ceases and nature’s rhythm and flow permeate my core, my breath slows, my mind rests, and my spirit awakens as the tiniest of details elate. The forest awakening as the weather warms is filled with quintessential signs of spring, tiny pops of color as woodland ephem

erals make their debut and green begins to replace brown from the tops of the trees to the ground below. While my favorite bugs and mushrooms are mostly still hidden waiting their turn, the fuzziness of fiddlehead ferns are pure delight as is the sight of bright green leaves poking through last season’s dry brittle leaves as they unfurl towards the sun. From the toad hiding in the leaf soaked vernal pond as its tadpoles wiggle about to the pollen covered bee still visiting every fresh bloom as if it can never get enough, this is where I belong. Finding joy in the details, feeling more centered and grounded, nurtured by nature.