Monáe's Musings | Fabulous and Fortunate Podcast

“How strange that nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude” – Emily Dickinson 

I have been pondering lately about how most of the problems we have don’t seem to matter that much in the grand scheme of things when nature gets involved. How amazing it is that simply going for a walk can center us in ways that we can’t get anywhere else. Being under a monumental volcano makes the woes of yesterdays seem so very small. In this same way, simple walks through undisturbed lands give us the same mental lift. Walking aids in depression management, anxiety management, boosts creativity, and many other benefits. How beautiful it is that nature seems to have all the remedies, if we only look for them. As more of our world shifts to holistic remedies and centering ourselves in nature, it gives me hope for a future where everyone is able to heal themselves. 

One one such walk, I came across a ginger shampoo plant. This plant, when used as shampoo and in body care, alleviates dry scalp, improves moisture retention, and many more things. When I looked up the benefits of this plant I was truly in awe. In this moment, I realized this plant is a microcosm of what nature continually offers – solutions for our mind, body, and spirit. How can one simple plant have this many benefits, such as being microbial, providing relief from respiratory issues, supporting minor wounds, and aiding in digestion when the rhizomes (roots) are taken internally. And then as I sat reflecting during meditation, I thought about how we always look to others to give us the answers to our problems. We go to doctors for raging headaches that never seem to go away. We go to the dentist because of a toothache that never seems to let up no matter how much dental work we have had. We sit with a therapist once a week in order for them to regurgitate our problems to us. While western Medicine is certainly invaluable for many situations, sometimes nature offers a healing power that is just as crucial. And then I wondered, what if sometimes what we need to do next is to sit with ourselves in nature to get to the real root of the problem. To be honest with ourselves and to gently be held. To cry, mourn, let go of the past and then get on with our lives. Sitting with ourselves surrounded by nature can give us more answers to our problems than anyone else ever could. Western medicine has its place and I’m not knocking it at all, but what if sometimes all we need is to be gently held by an intelligence that exists in the trees, in the plants, in the streams, in the rivers. There is so much help that exists and is waiting for us, if we only allow for it to. Like Emily Dickinson says, nature doesn’t intrude – but subtly offers answers and paths if we slow down and listen. 

~ 

Hi nature it’s me again 

Your dear, seeking friend 

Hold me near 

And take away all of my fear 

Show me the love that dwells inside of me 

And make my pesky problems a distant memory 

Show me the divine way 

To live in joy day to day 

I know you hear me 

And can give me the lens to see 

All that I’m capable of 

If I’m just willing to look above 

As I see a magnificent sky 

I ponder the question of “why” 

Why pain and why sorrow 

Why so many dread to see tomorrow 

And you tell me that so many have gone adrift 

Never pausing to notice nature’s little gifts