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This month I decided to share a couple of my own self-care habits—engaging in nature and writing poetry. Going for walks not only helps to clear my mind, but it also opens me up to new experiences. I get to witness nature in bloom or hear a bird call. Often, being nature is where I connect with my spirituality most easily and profoundly.
“Distracted by Reality”
I go to the gardens
To be distracted by reality
A reminder of what’s also real
Beauty surrounding me
More unfolding
Than what my eye can see
He who created this
Also cares for me
and still more
I also find that nature has the ability to teach me about life. This is a poem I wrote while noticing flowers and vines inside of the high elevation room of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
“Abiding”
To be like what I see
situated and free
tended for
and opening
in each stage
at peace
blossoming
shedding
taking my place
giving room to another
resting
breaking forth
climbing
going deeper
a dependent kind of living
receiving
to be more
Nature and writing poetry has also helped me find words for grief. This is part of a poem which describes certain expectations and hopes unfulfilled.
“…a bud,
not a blossom,
falls to ground—
to either decay or be blown away
not to flower or remain.”