The bluebells are out and the cuckoo is calling. It’s Spring and everywhere you look there’s life in all its glory. If ever there was a time of year when nature is inviting you to pay attention, it’s now. There’s so much beauty, it almost feels rude not to marvel at it!
As well as the visual beauty there is also a lot to listen to. Focussing your attention on natural sounds is a lovely way to increase feelings of relaxation.
If you have a chance to sit in your garden or somewhere green nearby for a few minutes, try gently bringing your full attention to the natural sounds you can hear.
The birds are very chatty at this time of year so you are likely to hear some chirping and tweeting. Perhaps you may also hear the wind gently rustling the leaves or the buzzing of a bee. If you are lucky enough to be near some flowing water, close your eyes and listen to the gentle splashing and babbling as it flows. Notice any thoughts that arise and distract you and gently bring your attention back to the natural sounds.
When we are fully listening, we cannot simultaneously be thinking so keeping our attention held on what we can hear gives us a break from our endless stream of thoughts. And what a relief it is!
As useful as thoughts are, they have a tendency to take over and they don’t half bang on about the same things over and over again! Having little breaks from your thoughts by experiencing the natural world through your senses has a calming and grounding effect.
When we only experience life through the filter of our thoughts, we can miss so much. We can miss the beauty that’s right in front of us, waiting to be seen, heard or felt. Waiting to be experienced.
We evolved outside, surrounded by the natural world and are made of the same elements that trees, plants, animals and the earth itself are made from. It’s where we belong.
So spending time quietly and mindfully in nature helps us to re-connect back to who we are. And it feels good. It also gives us a deep sense of connection with all living things and helps us to remember our place in the world; that we ourselves are part of nature.
