Healing Power of Nature Walks

The devotional I read this morning talked about gratitude. It challenged me to take a walk outdoors, and be at awe with God's creation; to be reminded of our dependence to God, by breathing in air and letting our spirit be filled with His blessings.

When we started walking, I was catching my breath 😩 I've been neglecting my daily movement, so my body had a hard time coping up with the physical activity. As soon as I got over the sluggishness, I started doing my gratitude walk. Or at least try.

In the beginning, it was so hard to disengage my thoughts from work. My brain was still trying to solve the problem I just left behind. I started doing the breathing prayer - inhale "Your Grace is sufficient", exhale "thank You for the air I breathe". But still, work kept on interrupting. I continued this exercise until I was solely focused on my prayer.

And then I started my gratitude prayer:

Thank You, Father, for providing us this small patch of forest so we can clear our minds, to have a space to move, and just be at peace.

Thank You for the fresh air that I breathe in.

Thank You for the beauty around me. The bare branches, the leaves on the ground, the winter fruits that give contrast to the dull colors.

Thank You, Father, for this time to be with You in silence.

(As I looked at Manong ahead of me) Thank You, Father, for blessing me with a partner that walks with me through thick and thin.

(As we passed by the football fields) Thank You, Father, for providing our village with an artificial turf football field (sv. konstgräsplan) so the kids did not need to travel far for practices.

(As I look up to the sky) Thank You for Your creation! The sky, the trees, the birds!

(As we reach home) Thank You, Father for your provisions. 

Thank You for the sunny weather. If it weren't for that, we would be frozen due to lack of heating. (Heating pipes on our area were being fixed so we didn't have hot water from 08.00 - 16.00)

With my mind, spirit and body refreshed, I was ready to resume my day.