Simplify Your Life
Nature is a way to “remember” to
get back to the simple things in life.
Simplifying your life is not difficult.
However it is an aspect of daily living
that we must discipline ourselves with.
Nature reminds us how to quiet our mind
and be still. It is a constant reminder
of the true nature of our being.
Spending many of my childhood vacations
camping with my family at a place called
Algonquin Provincial Park, I experienced
a wolf howling and the serenity of canoeing
on the river. There are many such wonderful
parks that put you right into the center
of nature. In a world full of so many demands,
we forget to continually “listen” to
the peace that surrounds us.
Many years ago, wilderness was part of
an everyday way of life. There were no
highways, no telephones and no automobiles
that created barriers between us and nature.
Gathering food was something you did as
part of your regular day. Spending time
in nature is a good way to get back to
the basics and simplify your life. You
wake up in the morning by hearing the birds
sing, and you start your day by breathing
in fresh non-polluted air. You take a bath
in the lake and listen to the sounds of
the trees as they are gently blowing in
the breeze. These sounds create a “force” in
our bodies and help us to quiet our minds.
My favorite part about camping is sitting
by a campfire. I would like to share an
exercise with you. If you don’t have
the ability to have a campfire, light a
candle. Fire contains pure energy and this
energy is something that exists within
each of us. Fire needs a certain amount
of oxygen to stay lit, just as our bodies
need oxygen to breathe and stay alive.
By lighting a campfire or a candle we are
able to connect with the natural flow of
oxygen. In essence our body begins to remember
how to naturally, rhythmically breathe
properly. Try it, light a fire (If you
are a child, ask your parents to help you.)
and look deep within the flame. Focus on
the sounds of the flame; you will hear
it as it takes on its own breath. As you
focus on the sound, begin to listen to
your own breath notice how it serendipitously
begins to balance itself with the fire.
You will begin to feel your body relaxing
and your mind becoming quiet. In this balance
you will forget about anything pressing
at work or chores that you have to get
done. You will suddenly become part of
the moment. The key word in this is “moment”.
By living in the moment, you can find simplicity.
You begin to recognize that in essence,
all the things you feel you “have
to do” do not really matter. They
will always be there. You will begin to
be able to organize your thoughts better
and open your intuition. Your body will
become healthier, blood pressure will balance
and a healing will take place.
This simple five-minute exercise that you
can do every day can make huge, permanent
changes in your life. If you get a chance
to go to a place like Algonquin Provincial
Park, don’t forget to listen to nature
as it reminds you of the natural balance
within your physical and spiritual body.
If you can’t get away, then take
a walk in a park or just go outside and “listen” to
the air. Take out the garbage at night
and listen to the crickets. Did you know
that crickets naturally make their sounds
according to the vibrations of the earth?
It is those sounds that will remind you
to remember the natural vibration of yourself.
Try it, it’s easy. Wake up to experience
the Inner You!
