Nature Offers Important Lessons

Throughout my life, I have studied at the university level for over 14 years, and I could have learned as much about how to help people have strong mental wellness from nature.

Take a tree: Stand tall and proud; sink your roots into the earth; be content with your natural beauty; go out on a limb; drink plenty of water; remember your roots; and enjoy the view.

Or, a cardinal (bird): Speak up; be a bright spot in other’s lives; it’s okay to be a little flashy.

How about a firefly: Be full of bright ideas; Have a healthy glow; delight in summer evenings; pulse with excitement; set a shining example; keep a childlike sense of wonder; and lighten up!

Even a spider has it figured out: Allow good connections; be web-savvy; let go of your hang-ups; and don’t get strung out.

Lastly, a chipmunk: Be playful; hit the ground running; it’s okay to be a little cheeky; earn your stripes; plan ahead; be bright-eyed and bushy–tailed; and stay chipper!

The listed wisdom came from tee-shirts I saw from www.YourTrueNature.com in Ft. Collins.

I saw them at a gift store in Nebraska, and I thought, “I spent thousands of dollars and many years on schooling to be a helping professional, and all I really needed to do was teach people how to mimic nature.”

The shirts made me think of what I learned from animals on the farm.

From a cow: If you have no power, learn to let go and enjoy your meals.

From a snake: If you’re little, slither away from the big guys or scare them enough to leave you alone.

From a dog: Even those you love can kick you and leave you outside during a blizzard.

Great lessons also come from the ocean: There IS something in this world bigger that we are; do not trust what is on the surface; playing in the daylight is safer; and what looks like fun can be terrifying and life-threatening.

Come up with your own creative analogies of what nature teaches you. Flowers bloom and fish survive only when their environment is conducive to their needs, and we humans are no different.

We too are elements of nature – separated by intellect hopefully, but with the same innate ability to survive, thrive, grow, build, and influence those that live amongst us or come behind us.

All we need to do is pay attention to our best teacher – nature.

Until the next time: Live while you live

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor.