There is nothing quite like immersing yourself in nature. The restorative benefits you feel from spending time in nature or near nature, or analysing nature, cannot compare to anything else. Today I spend a few hours on the beach – and although this is not a new or different activity – making a sand creature with beach sand is certainly something I do not do very often. Tapping into this child-like activity is extremely rejuvenating, evoking not just a smile to play on your lips but becomes a little meditation. It also gives you a short physical work out whilst your skin absorbs much needed vitamin D given to us for free from the sun above.
I am acutely aware of the fact that I am beyond fortunate to live near a beach. And it is not any old beach – it is a magnificent unspoilt beach called Brenton-on-sea in Knysna on the Garden Route of South Africa. Knysna is my hometown and Brenton-on sea is the area where I live. The beach is literally 2 minutes’ drive from my home. Blessed I am for sure. So, since I am within such close proximity to this piece of our natural world, I need to take full advantage. I am not bragging or trying to smear an in-land dwellers’ nose into my fortune – here I am just trying to share and encourage everyone to escape into whatever form of nature they can find near them as often as possible.
Perhaps you live in the middle of a bustling city. Does this mean that you are unable to absorb the profound benefits nature can give? Not at all. I too have lived in a concrete jungle. If you have access to transport to take you to a small forest near by – make the effort to go. If you are within walking distance to an inner-city park, if it is slightly green with nature and safe – take yourself there. But if there is no way of getting ‘out in nature’ then bring nature into the palm of your hand. The simple act of holding a small green leaf and spending time looking at it and seeing its amazingly complex structure, can give you just as much pleasure. Have you ever done this? I have and I have been left feeling humbled and in awe. Take a small mint leaf or even a stem of spinach. Look closely. Look at the network of veins – the changing colours, the succulent parts next to the thin almost transparent delicate part of its structure. Nature – even if viewed only in part – is beautiful!
For my practice of doing something different today whilst on the beach, I decided to build a turtle out of beach sand. Feeling the slightly moist sand take shape with my hands into what I think looked like a turtle was fun – and made me happy – and felt great. As always, I was in awe of the fact that I was playing with an uncountable abundance of grains. How deeply intricate is this formation? Nature making infinite particles to create a beach that we walk on and play on and lie on for pleasure. Do we ever take stock of how complex the creation of this was? Could man ever manage such a colossal task? Not a chance.
So today whilst shaping my ‘turtle’ I thought about this particular natural wonder and I was filled with a feeling of humble awe. In the process my body was filled with a feeling of lightness and wellbeing. A smile formed on my lips without effort and deep connected uncomplicated concentration – like a type of meditation – unfolded. This was what nature gave to me. I left feeling filled with gratitude for this moment spent!
If you would like to watch my ‘something different today’ experience; of building a beach sand turtle and immersing myself in nature, please feel free to watch the YouTube video below. I filmed the whole process so that I could share it with you.
What was your ‘something different’ today? Please share it with me in the comments below here or on my YouTube channel. We can all inspire each other by sharing our experiences openly.
Thanks for sharing your time with me today – with love from me to you – cheers for now.