On top of Pike’s Peak - Colorado

Have you heard the statement that nature is medicine for the soul?  It is true, at least for me. How about you? Nature has many lessons for us as humans.  I am currently in a Servant Leadership class and one of my professors shared with our class that 95% of a human’s time is spent indoors, in controlled and regulated environments.  Ugh, really?  I asked him to repeat this because I couldn’t believe it. Is this statistic true for you?

Rocky Mountain National Park - Horseshoe Park

Experts tell us that we should spend as much time in nature as we do with technology.  Just imagine having that type of balance in our lives.  How would our world change if we did so?  Many, many people spend hours a day scrolling on their phones or surfing the internet.  How does this add value to our lives?  I would say it doesn’t, but it sure consumes most people I know and, if I am honest, I even get sucked into it sometimes.  Part of my refueling plan is to completely disconnect from my phone when I spend time in nature!  I guess that is not entirely true, because I love photography and will take pictures on my phone of the beauty that I see in nature.  Capturing moments and the beauty of my surroundings also refuels my heart.

There is so much to see in our world, our surroundings and so little time to see it.  This is why, I personally take three to four trips a year.  Seeing new places, having new adventures, and hiking in nature is so good for my soul!  It is my time to just be with the lessons that nature has to teach us.

NATURE'S LESSONS:

• Stay deeply rooted in our who, our values, our authentic selves
• Be flexible, adaptable, and resilient amongst the storms of life
• Accept what is…everything is as it should be
• Go with the flow of the seasons, as there is a bigger purpose
• Take time to just breathe, to just be instead of always doing, doing, doing
• Be in awe of the beauty that is present. Being present is a gift
• Brings depth and opportunities to reflect on the meaning of life
• Sparks creativity
• Spurs gratitude
• Teaches us how to rest, renew and regenerate
• Everything has a purpose
• The best things for our souls are truly free
• Engages all of our senses
• Healing is available through nature
• Provides an opportunity for spiritual connection (at least for me)

This list could go on and on.  What lessons have you learned from nature? 

It is time for all of us to spend more time in nature, to give technology a break and to refuel our souls amongst the many lessons that nature has to offer.  It is time take action, don’t delay…nature is calling right now!

   

Garden of the Gods - Colorado

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Contact me: 
chartline@rwhc.com
608-644-3235

Cella Janisch-Hartline, RN, BSN, PCC Professional Certified Coach, Nursing Leadership Senior Manager for Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative has been involved in various healthcare industry leadership positions for the past 40 years. The majority of her career has been spent working in an acute care critical access facility for nearly 25 years. Throughout her work experience, she has learned most of her leadership skills and techniques through the school of “hard knocks”. Cella’s passion for teaching leadership tips and techniques earned her the 2018 Outstanding Educator Award through the National Rural Health Association. She is well-known for her humorous, engaging and personable facilitation style.