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Rejuvenate and Reconnect in Nature

Kelley hugging tree for Rejuvenate and Reconnect in Nature by Kelley Grimes at Cultivating Peace and Joy

“I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful — an endless prospect of magic and wonder.”

~ Ansel Adams

In just a few days I am going to the mountains for a women’s retreat and I am so excited! The rejuvenating power of nature is so deeply magical and the beauty fills me with awe and wonder. I love to hike, hug trees, and soak up the mountain air. 

I feel equally as refreshed living near the ocean. I often drive or walk along the beach, watching the sun shimmering on the ocean, whales spouting, and witnessing glorious sunsets. The power of this beauty has inspired a constant flow of joy and gratitude and it has been such a gift to have this self-nurturing practice.

I love the ocean but the forest holds my heart. Forests seems to breathe with me and embrace me with their sacred silence. I feel such reverence walking amongst these trees and always feel like I have come home. I love watching the sun lighting up the leaves and branches and creating layers of light and amazing reflections. Every step I take through the forest is in deep awe and wonder and I feel so nourished by the experience.

As John Muir wrote, “This is the best tree-lover’s monument…in all the forests of the world.” Indeed my deep love of trees leads me over and over again to the forest and has since I was a girl. I used to play In the forest and still feel that childlike wonder any time I am among the trees.

Where do you go in nature to rejuvenate?

How often do you nurture yourself in this way?

How does connecting with the beauty around you change how you view the world?

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” ~Rachel Carson

May you reconnect with the rejuvenating power of nature and nurture peace in the world from the inside out!

Kelley Grimes

Sending you so much peace, love and gratitude,

Kelley Grimes, M.S.W.
Counselor, Author & Speaker

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Join the discussion 14 Comments

  • Heather says:

    The beauty around me always helps to lift my spirit and to connect to who I am. I am fortunate to live near a historic park. I tend to walk down to the waterfall to ease my soul. I also love taking walks through the trail in the park down to Lake Michigan to feel the peacefulness. When I’m not doing that I try to side outside in my back yard soaking all of it in. This is all weather permitting of course. Praying that we will have some more consistent weather soon.

  • I love the park and go there at least once a day with Miss Coco who shares my passion to absorb nature’s sights and sounds, Kelley. Reading about the forests, I remembered my days in Minsk where my father’s official residence was located in an area called Drozdy reserved for the Ambassadors of different nations shortly after the break up of USSR and creation of new states.

    Drozdy was a forest and I loved the time walking in the woods with my 4 dachshunds. Bruno almost always chased a hare down the hole and had to be pulled out and given a long bath (he smelled awful after the misadventure).

  • Kelley, I am a fellow tree hugging enthusiast. Like you I love the ocean, (it’s in full view out my bedroom window) but the forest holds my heart. I am home when in a forest – particularly a Redwood Forest. It feels right – invigorating, energizing and stirs my soul when I am in the company of these ancient beings. Cheers to tree hugs!

    • Yes cheers to hugging trees and feeling at home with the beauty of nature and the ancient wisdom of the forest. I am grateful for you and your comment Debra!

  • I share your lover of trees and forests. I’d rather hike in the woods than walk on the beach any day!

  • Laura says:

    Nature is my zen. I’m fortunate to have many natural areas to go to within a 3 mile radius, but for a real break, I like going into the mountains too usually w least amount of humans possible. Tough to do unless you go at dawn. My favorite time to go. Everything comes alive and I love the Rachel Carlson Preserve in Maine too. Thank you for sharing and enjoy your retreat

    • Sounds beautiful and so rejuvenating Laura. I love the experience of everything coming alive and knowing that I am a part of it all. Thank you so much for sharing!

  • rachel says:

    I absolutely love your tree hugging picture. I love hugging trees and get their grounding and uplifting energy. I agree, nature is the best way to recharge.

    • Hurray for my fellow tree hugger! I was just at a women’s retreat and during my keynote shared that I am a big tree hugger. After I heard from a woman who had never hugged a tree before who went right out and tried it and loved it! Such a great way to nurture ourselves and feel connected to the wholeness of which we are all apart. Thank you for your comment Rachel!

  • Nydia says:

    Hello Kelly, I am honored to be a part of your community . I believe that reading your testimony on how you indulge in Nature and share your family with us has a great impact and motivation to be in gratitude with self.

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