By Clare Care
Breathe in the wonder and awe of our natural surroundings.
Do you ever think about the greatness of the planet? We are amazing beings in physical form sharing our energy, existing with the power to consciously create our paths. We can experience wild adventures and make awesome connections. A brilliant grounding tool to acknowledge gratitude for our blessings is to gaze in wonder at the outside world. Here are my mindful and spiritual methods to absorb the beauty of the Earth and to fill our bodies with joy.
Nature
Appreciating nature is really uplifting. Every season beholds something to wonder over. Have you ever taken the time to look closely at a leaf? The vibrant color. The smooth texture. The oval shape with the tiny veins running through it. Take the time to really focus on the beauty of a singular leaf. Touch it, stroke it and compare its shape and size to other leaves. Now look at a tree. I always marvel over how a tree long outlives us mortal humans. They come in many shapes and sizes, but all have roots that lie deep in the earth to nurture, feed and support them. Notice the bark of the trunk and how it is formed. What a majestic sight to behold! Trees have many important functions including maintaining a clean environment by producing oxygen to help purify the atmosphere. We are naturally inclined to feel more joy when being surrounded by trees.
Beauty in nature surrounds us. Take a look at a flower. Observe the vivid colors and intricate patterns in a petal. See how they provide pollen for the insects. Notice the birds and how nature provides their habitat. Listening to birdsong is a joyful experience. You will hear many different calls from the various species. Really hone in on the unusual and glorious sounds created from our tiny little feathered friends. The more you focus on nature, the more you will start to see. Butterflies, pine cones, twigs, grass, earth, insects, nests, birds, squirrels, foxes.
There are many places you can experience the joy of the natural world. If you have a garden, you can begin there. Local parks are a perfect place to enjoy and admire the surroundings. Forests can provide a more remote experience with trees in abundance.
Cloud Watch
Lie on the grass in a park, field or garden. It works best if you choose somewhere peaceful,
safe and abundant in nature. Get comfy and relax. Then simply just watch the sky! The band The Orb once sang a song about “Little Fluffy Clouds” and how beautiful they are. Cloud watching can be such a joyful experience, especially if you do it with a friend or partner. It is fascinating to see how quickly clouds will form, merge and pass. Notice their interesting shapes and see if they make any recognizable images. I like to see angel figures in the clouds. Never look directly at the sun, so choose your cloud watching carefully. As you look out to the vast expanse of sky, you will feel connected to the greatness of the universe and all its possibilities.
Star Gaze
As day turns into night you can do the same activity, but this time gaze at the stars. Make sure you choose a clear night to get the maximum impact. The band named Air wrote a mellow song
called, “Kelly Watch The Stars.” There is wonder and amazement at the galaxy when you consider how far away a twinkling star is and how the light reaches us. When you truly focus on the night sky, you get a sense of the magnitude of the planets and how we are but a small part of a huge miracle. There are many apps you can utilize to study the constellations and make connections with natures forces.
Moon Bath
I enjoy observing the cycles of the Moon. The Moon is responsible for the ebb and flow of our planet. It keeps the tides constant. Our bodies are largely made up of liquid, so it makes sense that the Moon’s cycle can affect our energy and rhythms. Have you ever looked up at the Moon and been captivated by her beauty? A full moon creates such a bright and vivid light. It is interesting to notice the face of “the man in the Moon” or, “the woman in the Moon” looking down and protecting us. The Moon is referred to as she or her and is regarded as the feminine energy of the universe.
How can the Moon help raise your joy? Firstly, by understanding that the lunar cycle can impact your thoughts and feelings. Have you ever heard of the madness of the full Moon? Historically, the full moon is said to bring about extreme and heightened emotions.
The Moon orbits the earth every 30 days. Each month will see a new moon and a full moon, and the waxing and waning in between. Watching the Moon is magical. If you live consciously with the daily moon, you will start to notice how you can work alongside her. The new moon is when she sits in the same place as the Sun, which Earth orbits, so is therefore not visible. We cannot see her but we know she is there.
Many women cycle at the time of the new moon. Just as she withdraws from the light, we can feel more withdrawn and introverted during this phase. This is the time to set intentions, for new beginnings and for making wishes. The full moon is a time for letting go of the past and of things that don’t serve you. It is also a powerful time to forgive. Charge your crystals under a full moon. Just pop them out overnight in the garden, or on the windowsill. It is incredibly uplifting and humbling to observe the magnificence of the moon. Soak up her moon beams. Breathe in her energy and thank her for the motion of life.
Clare Care is a presenter, author and singer. She is also a Creative and Spiritual Life Coach and a member of The Complimentary Medical Association (MCMA). Clare loves to help others live their best life! Her book, 52 Ways To Receive Joy Now! is an essential guide to finding your inner happiness and is available on Amazon. Her podcast, “Nourish Your Think Tank” has interviews with music legends and musings on life’s good vibrations. She hosts an early breakfast show on NLive Radio called “Clare’s Happy Monday” to make people feel good for their week ahead. Her other show, “Weekend Calling”, gets listeners ready for the weekend. Clare fronts a function band as the lead singer and regularly performs at parties and corporate events. For more information go to https://www.clarecarepresenter.com.