“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”
-Kahlil Gibran

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn’t people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them?”
-Rose Kennedy

Earth Day was started in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, but has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon.

Earth Day reminds us of the need to take time and appreciate and connect with the Earth not just on a yearly, but on a daily basis.

Many of the problems we see in this world, from issues of pollution and Global Warming all the way down to wars and individual stress are related to, if not outright caused by, a lack of connection with Nature and the planet.

Quite simply, the more disconnected we are with Mother Earth, then the more disconnected we are with each other and ourselves.

Here, then, are 10 easy ways to get reconnected with the flow of Nature
1.Go outside!
How much time do you spend outside in a day, besides the trip to and from your car? Try to spend at least 10 minutes a day with the sun on your skin (with the appropriate sunscreen on, of course)

2.Open the windows!
Open the windows of your home to let it air out, and let the breeze come in. Your home will feel less stifled and more natural in no time.

3.Open the car windows!
Air conditioning burns fuel and adds to pollution. Pending where you live, it may make sense to drive with your windows down; or at least cracked a little.

4.Eat outside at least once a week.
Eat outside from time to time, either your lunch at work, or pack up a picnic and have your dinner at a park. Imagine the smile on your kids faces when you surprise them with a picnic at the playground!

5.Keep plants around.
Especially if you have an office or a cubicle, have at least one flowering plant around all the time. Name it and talk to it, treat it like a pet!
Besides the fact that the carbon dioxide in your breath helps the plant grow, you’ll be surprised how connected you’ll feel to this this simple living thing.
Once you are used to taking care of one, add in more flowers; but have at least one in the places you spend the most time.

6.Feed the birds.
Either setup a bird feeder at home (especially a hummingbird feeder, if you have hummingbirds where you live), or feed them out in public. Be careful about just spreading bread crumbs all over your lawn, since that might get you hordes of pigeons attacking your house! On those days that you eat outside, don’t be afraid to share a few crumbs with your winged friends.

7.Walk barefoot on the grass
Seriously, if you haven’t done it in too long, try it!

8.Sleep with the windows open
Clearly, you can’t do this if you live in a place that’s freezing, or where someone will come through that window! Some people report waking up feeling stuffy the first day after they try this; unless you have seasonal allergies, try it for around 3 nights and you should feel like a new person.

9.Pay attention to Nature
Every day you are surrounded by the wonders of this planet; birds singing, flowers blooming, butterflies flying. It’s all too easy to miss it when we are caught up in the hustle and bustle of getting from here to there. Slow down from time to time, and watch the miracles unfolding around you. Just this tiny bit of presence is actually one of the most powerful forms ofmeditation you can do.

10.Give thanks to and for Mother Earth
Note, this does not mean ‘worship’ the Earth (unless you follow an Earth-centered religion, that is); it means give thanks for the Earth and all her bounty. She gives us the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the very bodies we walk around in, so be grateful!
Who you are giving thanks to, however, is totally up to you.

This planet is a grand miracle, a shining blue jewel in the vastness of space, and every single one of us is lucky to be here.
The Earth isn’t some ball of mud to be ruthlessly exploited, if you believe that God is our Father, then she is our Mother; every bit as worthy of our love, care, admiration, gratitude and affection.

Happy Earth Day!

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B. Dave Walters

Writer, Life Coach, and Talk Radio Host

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