Time to Wander

When was the last time you had an amazing idea sitting at your desk? How many times have you had brilliant ideas while taking a shower or outside on the trail? It can seem counterintuitive to leave your desk to be productive, but studies have shown that spending time in nature can lead to increased focus, improved creativity and problem solving, as well as an increase in happiness. Bottom line - it's time to get outside.?

Going outside can take on many forms from hiking, biking and running to spending time with your feet in the grass. Gardening is a wonderful way to connect back with the earth, but so is breathing. When you are short on time take a wander snack vs. a full meal. Snacks can include stepping outside for literally 30 seconds between meetings to take three full deep breaths. Other ways to snack include:?

• Taking?a few minutes to mindfully pet your cat. Listen to her purr. Look into her eyes. Both of you will be better for the connection.?
• Be fully present when you water your plants. Talk to them. Tell them how beautiful they look. Encourage them with your words. I find that my plants thrive when I do this, and it makes me feel more grounded and connected when I am finished.?
• Watch how the trees sway in the wind. Is there a leaf or flower that catches your eye? Take a moment to study it. How does it feel? How does it smell? Does it evoke any memories or images??
• Stuck in a conference room? At the next scheduled bio break find a window. What do you see? What bits of nature are welcoming you? Maybe all you see are buildings,?but can you see the sky? Are there clouds? Can you see any birds??

Wander snacks can come in all shapes and sizes depending on where you are and how much time you have. The more mindfully you observe nature the more you are developing a relationship with our more than human kin. This connection creates a deeper sense of belonging and well-being. And it makes you more creative, able to solve problems and generate new ideas. What's not to love??

If you do have more time to wander for a full meal, try stepping outside without an agenda or distractions of any kind. Leave your headphones at home. Put your phone on do not disturb. As you step outside you may want to offer up a prayer asking Spirit to show you what you need to see, hear what you need to hear and experience what you need to experience in this moment. Set expectations aside and wander in the direction that you are called. This requires deep listening to your inner knowing, a bit of trust, and will most likely take you off your normal path to explore something new.?Be mindful of what calls you and where you feel resistance. Spend some time exploring these edges with a beginner's mind of a child exploring the magic and wonder of something new. The more you wander the more you will become aware of the full ecosystem that surrounds you. Being in nature takes the stress of daily life down a notch to put things in perspective.?

Drop me a note the next time you wander. I would love to hear about your experience. You may also want to document your experience in a journal. The act of writing with physical pen to paper will help you solidify the connections and ideas that come forth during your wander. I have found it incredibly helpful to look back at my journals to see consistent themes as well as relive the wonder I experienced by finding a feather or a heart shaped leaf at exactly the right moment. There is so much magic around us. All we have to do is look.?

Be well and frolic on.?

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Schedule a free 30-minute discovery session?to see if we are a fit.