By Billy Felo
Walking through the woods with my trusty fishing pole on a late-summer morning, I was infinitely tapped into my surroundings. I was alone with not a soul in sight, but I never felt more connected.
As the cool-morning breeze danced with the warmth from the sun, my senses were heightened to an ideal level. Looking out upon the crystal-clear creek, the sweet smell of fresh dew cascaded down the valley while sounds of singing birds and gurgling water provided the perpetual consistency of nature’s symphony.
Like nature’s tenacity, its lessons are endless. We simply need to take the time to appreciate all that it has to offer.
As athletes, performers and goal-oriented people, what can we learn from a singing bird? A babbling brook? A decomposing tree?
Isolated but Far from Alone
That day fishing in the woods will stay with me for a long time. Nature therapy has always been a staple in my life, but that beautifully-clear morning clarified an important message for me.
Being alone in the wilderness is how I find true peace and happiness.
While I enjoy being by myself, I’m definitely not a hermit or loner. I love people, and I consider myself a very social creature. However, embracing the stillness and silence of isolation is how we can truly find infinite happiness.
When you can be happy with just yourself and your presence, you have gained true enlightenment. While this may sound simple, it is not an easy task.
The Singing Bird
The singing bird croons a tune, not for our enjoyment (although I love the sound of chirping birds), but for more practical reasons. While science tells us that birds sing to attract mates and ward off other birds from its area, I believe it’s for other reasons.
In my opinion, birds sing, because they like the sound of their own song. I can’t imagine an unhappy bird belting out a tune. For a bird to sing its own personalized song, it needs to be present in the moment and enjoying its own company.
The same is true for us. We should do something, because it makes us happy and not because it’s deemed cool or culturally appropriate.
To honor our individuality, we need to let go of all past experiences and future expectations. Cherishing the gift of every passing second is a sure-fire way to improving the quality of life.
This is difficult to do, because as people, we always want more. It’s great to have goals and strive to achieve tremendous things but not at the expense of enjoying the present moment.
The Babbling Brook
If a singing bird can teach us so much about enjoying our own company and staying present, then what wisdom can the babbling brook bring us?
The flow of the babbling brook remains consistent and continues to move despite the conditions of its surroundings (unless there’s a serious drought, of course).
Every single day the stream constantly pours energy and provides hydration for countless animals and vegetation. If we strive to also bring this consistent energy, we can continually use our unique gifts to make the world a better place.
Embracing different weather conditions, water levels and intruders, the babbling brook flows no matter what is happening around it. Learning to go with the flow and appreciating the reality of every moment, we can overcome distractions and adversity to stay focused on our goals.
Sometimes, the flow of the creek or the events in our life will change, but we can remember to stay consistent and continue to pour our energy into the activities and relationships that we cherish.
The Decomposing Tree
Similarly, the fallen and decomposing tree brings us infinite wisdom and insight. Our lives are constantly in flux, changing whether we like it or not, and nature is no different.
At first, it may appear that the fallen tree is at the end of its life cycle and deemed insignificant. However, upon further examination, we find that the decomposing tree brings new life with essential fungi in wild mushrooms while feeding countless insects that are crucial to our ecosystem.
By “dying,” the tree brings forth a chance for new life. Similarly for us, every situation, perceived as good or bad, brings a chance for growth, as the decomposing tree is necessary to fertilize the ground for new life to bloom.
So, when things are changing and it feels like life is out of control, remember that change is absolutely necessary in life. Without it, life would be pretty boring.
Valued opportunities will end, but better ones are always waiting to emerge.
Putting Into Practice
With the idea that we can gain infinite wisdom from nature, how do we utilize this in our daily lives?
First, the ability to sit alone in silence and be in the now is paramount to increasing our joy. Once we are totally content with ourselves, everything else falls into place quite easily.
Next, emulating the patience that nature portrays will help us slow down and allow everything to fall into place. Nature is never in a hurry, as everything that happens in our lives is for a greater purpose that will eventually work out for the best.
Lastly, be as confident as the singing bird who doesn’t care what anything thinks of its ability to hold a tune. Remain steadfast and bring consistent energy every single day to become as resilient as the babbling brook. And when life blocks us out of one opportunity, remember the decomposing tree that selflessly expires to bring forth new life.
By paying attention to nature’s wisdom, we can strive to get a little better each day, and in my humble opinion, that is the secret to a life well lived.