(Madisyn Taylor)
Nature, in all its myriad forms, is the most powerful force on earth. Although mankind has tried, we have not found a way to match its awesome power, but we have found ways to work with it. Science often confirms the wisdom of the ancients who observed and then harnessed nature's rhythms and cycles to shape and enhance their lives. We can begin to do this in our own lives by first paying attention to our own natural rhythms, such as when we wake or when we feel the need to sleep. If possible, we may want to try to rise and sleep with the sun or live without electricity for a weekend and then monitor how we feel. We can make the choice to eat the foods of the seasons and to seek fresher, locally grown, or organic produce whose own cycles have not been tampered with by technology.
We can create harmony in our homes by making a smooth transition between our indoor and outdoor spaces. By bringing some of the outdoors inside and taking some of our indoor décor out, we can simultaneously enjoy nature and the comforts of home and the feeling that our living space is expanded. Then, whether inside or out, we can lounge on a comfortable piece of furniture and feel the wind, inhale the scent of deeply breathing plants, listen for the many songs of life, and observe the moon and the stars. As we do this more often, we may find ourselves noticing the pull of the full moon on bodies of water, as well as the water in bodies, or the music of the night acting as a lullaby.
When we seek balance in our lives, we want to balance not just our roles in life but also the natural elements in our spaces. Having representations of the elements in the colours, shapes, and textures of our homes will appeal to our mind, body, and spirit. We may find that when we sync ourselves with nature's rhythms, we ride the waves of energy to feel more in harmony with life and the world around us.
My Thoughts:
I love the great outdoors and have a window open all year around if the weather allows, and if it doesn’t then there is nothing better than to listen to the lashing of the rain, especially when settling down to sleep.
The sounds that playout in the background as I sit at my desk in the study are of the sea. The waves against the shoreline, sometimes calming and gentle whilst at other times they are harsh and violent. There is a constant chatter of birds calling and squabbling, shouting the odds at every given opportunity and on foggy days when the sea mist obliterates everything the mournful tolling of the boats gives it an eerier feeling.
I would love to spend a weekend totally governed by the rhythm of nature. No electricity, no television, no internet and no interruptions. To step back from the modern world and go back to writing with just pen and paper and reading by candlelight.
Maybe, one day I will get to live this dream of escapism … if only for a few days.