Finding Peace Through Nature

During this uncertain time in the world I have been craving consistency. To be quite honest I have been going through a series of changes before the virus hit, so this only added to the stress and confusion. As the world began to shut down, cars reminded in their driveways and shops closed their doors, I noticed spring arrive. She arrived slowly and then all at once, with pollen consuming the air.

I was up early one morning to let my dog out and I watched the sun rise. The mist settled beneath the trees. I was reminded that the sun rises, the trees fill out and the flowers blossom. As the world remains shut down, nature knows what to do. The birds haven’t stopped chirping and the neighborhood dogs haven’t stopped barking.

I was reading Ecclesiastes 1:5-7 and it says “The sun rises and the sun sets; panting, it returns to the place where it rises. Gusting to the south turning to the north, turning, turning, goes the wind, and the wind returns in its cycles. All the streams flow to the sea, yet the sea is never full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.”

The author of the book Ecclesiastes searches for the meaning of life. He plays with all of the things the world has to offer to see what will give him complete fulfillment. Even though this book was written so long ago I believe that desire still rings true today. Searching and yearning for something more that satisfies. I’ve found this desire increases during times of trouble and pain. Something to numb or distract.

As I have found a peace within nature the past few weeks I am reminded that there is a creator, and a plan. I might not understand the plan but I do know that God is still good. During times of pain I would encourage you to look outside at nature and be reminded of the details. When the world seems to be shaken I find peace taking a moment to stop and look up at the bird that’s singing or stop to watch a cloud go by and change shape. It helps me feel more grounded.

These are the thoughts and emotions that inspired the nature series I am launching. My nature series is my viewpoint of nature. In addition to highlighting parts of nature I enjoy I wanted to bring in a greater combination of colors. I challenged myself to mix more colors and become creative with my color wheel. In the past I have had a habit of using colors straight out of the jar and I wanted to change this. If you will notice I used a range of pastels and color arrangements straying from the use of heavy blacks and instead gravitating toward purple and navy.