If I were to name the three most precious resources of life, I should say books, friends, and nature; and the greatest of these, at least the most constant and always at hand, is nature. Nature we have always with us, an inexhaustible storehouse of that which moves the heart, appeals to the mind, and fires the imagination, – health to the body, a stimulus to the intellect, and joy to the soul.
~ John Burroughs
(Leaf & Tendril)
Barbara,
Sweet painting!
Yes I will have to agree with John Burroughs Nature is all those things, it is our moving away from nature that has caused the world to seem out of balance.
Each day I walk in nature, when I have been in the city I always come home and go for a walk among the trees and the birds, breathing in the air, being embraced by the branches…
Glad you like the painting, Jeff! As the creator of Nature Spirit Healing Photography I know how deep your connection is to the the healing and refreshing properties of nature. I love feeling embraced by the arms of trees, too…
Hi,
Beautiful painting and words.
Nature always amazing me, the power she holds on earth and also the sweetness she gives us as well.
Thank you, Mags! Nature is amazing, isn’t she? An endless source of wonder and surprise and lessons in balance…
Ohhhhh, what a beautiful painting. It simply reaches out and plucks at my heart strings.
Nothing like guitar strings to pluck at our heart strings, Laurie! 🙂
(Laurie, I think I thought you were commenting on another post, “a spirit in all music…,” which has a guitar in the painting. I had just been there responding to a comment Amy-Lynn left and got confused…)
Oh Barbara, how lovely! I can’t imagine a day without some time spent consciously connecting with our natural world. Even if just for a moment or two 🙂
Let’s see if I can stay on track here – focusing on nature in this thread, not music! (Now I’m talking to myself…) Colleen, I feel the same way! Even a moment or two outside can work wonders, body and soul. 🙂
This picture is quite stunning. I can almost smell nature’s scent through the computer. There is something about proximity to the natural world which assists us in awakening to the sacred silence/Presence which exists at the center of us. Blessings, Barbara. Happy Memorial Day weekend!
Isn’t it a wonderful painting, Kathy? It reminds me too of how amazing it is how a profound moment of connection with a single flower can awaken us to the universe within. Many blessings to you, too, my friend!
I just wrote something about this very idea. Nature really is an ever-present friend. Love that painting.
Happy you enjoyed the painting and nature-thoughts, Emily. 🙂 Will scoot over to your blog soon and see if I can find what you wrote!
The painting is absolutely wonderful. Books, Friends & Nature! Can we live without? The closer we get to the nature, the more our life improves. Nature is a healer of many wounds. Precious resources, Hope we all together can save them! God bless.. Thank you for the message, Barbara 🙂
You’re welcome, Sonali! I echo your sentiments with my whole heart! Nature is indeed a healer and a great teacher, too. 🙂
Hi Barbara. I need nature in my life. It keeps me connected and helps me understand my place in the universe. Excellent post! Jane
Thanks, Jane! I know what you mean about nature helping us to understand our place in the universe. It keeps us grounded and soaring with more balance.
Nature is so important. I often feel rushed, but try to take the time needed to really connect with nature.
I agree, Sheryl. Sometimes it’s difficult to slow down and smell the roses, but we are richly rewarded when we do make an effort to connect with nature.
Oh how true! Nature is always there, our constant friend. All we need do is walk out the door and there she is! 🙂
A constant friend, indeed! I think that’s why we have a tendency to bring her inside with us, too, in the form of pets and plants!
Nature is always there, an inexhaustible resource that can provide both comfort and wonder. Along with books and friends, the more time you invest in it, the more it can make the whole wide world seem smaller and cosier.
Comfort and wonder – yes! I agree, nature, friends and books are all inexhaustible resources, excellent tools to keep us all connected and aware of those connections.
What a lovely painting and quote, Barbara! I just came in from planting flowers and tending my garden on a beautiful cool and partly sunny day freshened up by some much needed rain. What can I add…but that nature is my life-blood!
Thank you, Diane! Gardening is such a wonderfully refreshing occupation – it always makes me feel grounded to the earth, especially after a rain. And I think my fairy garden has attracted some visitors already! 😉
Dear Barbara, Lovely posts. I too find so much comfort in nature. The night sky over Lake Michigan these past years, during times of both joy and sorrow, is a gift that sustains me…and then the dawn. Blessings, Ellen
Thank you, Ellen. I wonder if you ever see the northern lights in the night sky over Lake Michigan? Dawn is my favorite time of day – a walk then in the woods or on the seashore – I couldn’t ask for anythig more… Blessings to you, too…