I am the daughter of an English teacher. My dad had a wall full of books in his office, and having been born on a farm, a deep love of nature and growing things. I loved raiding his library, and my favorites were the books of poetry. I especially loved reading Walt Whitman. His beautiful, languid words reminded you to slow down, to observe. And when I was outside with my dad in his garden, amidst the peas, potatoes and corn, he encouraged me to observe. To slow down. To look around and notice the plants and animals around us. To notice that the world is full of life. A bird on a branch. The return of a daffodil blossom. That mean ‘ol wild turkey that haunted the hill behind the house. I would feel my perception soften and my pulse slow.
Last weekend, I sat in my backyard in Portland, watching the tiny finches eat the seeds that plants had so generously held onto. I went outside because the world is complicated right now. As a leader, it’s more difficult than ever to lead an organization through the constant change and problem solving. Because of the uncertainty, it’s easy to just ride the tide of business intensity, never slowing down. Nature is an antidote to intensity and stress. Just like when I was a kid, when I am outside in nature, time slows, my mind clears, and my pulse decreases. This wouldn’t be news to our ancestors. People have always understood the healing that is possible in nature. The Japanese have a practice of walking in the woods called Forest Bathing. Research shows that it improves your health. Indigenous people all over the world have practices to seek wisdom by spending time in nature. Scandinavians have forest schools, which have been shown to improve attention and imagination in children. For data nerds like me, there’s a lot of peer-reviewed research documenting that this actually works – see below in the reading section. As leaders, we need to remember to slow down sometimes and give our nervous system a break. We are human beings – not machines. When we do, our minds are more clear and we are able to access creative thinking that flight-or-flight patterns prevent. When we feel centered, we are better able to show up for our teams as servant leaders. If I were an infomercial, I would be pitching the positive outcomes of time in nature in a pill for $49.95 – but wait – nature is absolutely free! Here are five ways you can embed a bit of nature into your day:
Walt Whitman said: “Peace is always beautiful.” Nature can gift you an inner peace in a world of change. Nature always prevails, is always here, is endlessly evolving. And to me, it’s endlessly fascinating and endlessly healing. I am confident it will be for you, too. Let’s get out there! More Reading Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Happiness by Qi Ling Decreased Cortisol Among Hikers who Preferentially Visit and value Diverse Riparian Zones published by Nature 3 Ways Getting Outside into Nature Helps Improve your Health published by UC Davis And A Soundtrack California Stars - Billy Bragg It’s a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong at the BBC Sweet Summer Lovin’ – Dolly Parton I love to write and share my passion for sustainable leadership. Download your copy of my Purpose Power Worksheet, which is designed to connect you with your own unique purpose. Or subscribe to get this delivered straight into your inbox! Comments are closed.
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INSIGHTSA column about sustainable leadership. Archives
January 2025
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