Earth Harmony ~ Connecting to Nature
Terry Rader

“Gawark, gawark!” The Great Blue Heron flew across the lake ever so gracefully, flapping her smoky blue wings with the majesty of an orchestra conductor. As she approached the shore and flew over my head, she croaked her greeting again. “Gawark, gawark!” I looked up in awe as her blue-gray belly circled around me and back across the lake. Her long, graceful neck was tucked in an “S” shape and her skinny legs looked like cross-country ski poles. She maintained an exquisite balance despite her length.

The Great Blue Heron is often a solitary bird. Her appearance seemed a most appropriate gift from Mother Nature while walking solo through the woods, taking my time for self-reflection. Alone in the woods, my mind is free of the chatter from the everyday world. My aura is more open, making me more responsive to the energies of the natural world. My mind becomes clear to connect to the Earth with all of my senses, all of my being. And when this happens, I feel centered and grounded, more connected to my core. This clarity gives me the opportunity to find true discernment with whatever matters of my heart, mind, body or soul that need tending to. It also allows me to simply relax and let go. Nature offers us a very effective and fast-acting stress tonic without any unpleasant side effects.

The woods have always brought me great solace and peace. I was just a young girl when I first began going to the woods near my home to sit and write. It seemed such a magical place, so full of life and love, with such comfort. Being in nature soothed my soul and I looked forward to my daily visits with the tall trees, little plants, and animals. When I was lonely or troubled, I always felt safe and protected sitting against the strong trunk of a great oak, surrounded by my friends, my family of the Earth. This heart connection with nature has remained constant throughout my life, one that I am very grateful for, especially today when I see so many children who rarely play outside, much less ever get to the woods. I can’t imagine missing out on catching crayfish at the creek, chasing fireflies or blowing dandelion wishes. I loved finding little snakes and taking them back to school for show and tell. I wanted everyone to experience some of what I was feeling with these nature connections.

When we connect to nature, we connect to a deeper sense of ourselves. It’s an instinctual part of us – a connection we need to honor today more than ever. Scientists have been measuring the effects of global warming for over thirty years. There are species of plants, trees, animals and entire ecosystems being wiped out everyday. This comes not just from global warming, but also from the impact we have had as humans living unsustainably on a planet that is running out of resources to keep up with our demands. How can we be so sure that we are not already an endangered species? If we all take a part in the responsibility of maintaining our world, hopefully we will have a planet that will continue to take care of us.

I was just recently reconnected to my childhood adventures while attending a Herpetology Camp led by Naturalist Christine Simonson at Piedmont Environmental Center in High Point. The kids were wide-eyed and full of life as they explored the creek and woods, squealing with delight with each new find. My heart soared as they shared their excitement and interest in the natural world. Christine placed a salamander in a collection jar and explained “We want to limit handling him…his skin is very sensitive. We don’t want to transfer oils, bug spray, sunscreen, etc. He uses his tail to help him escape from predators. We have to be careful he doesn’t shed his tail because of us…” The children gave her their “eyes and ears” and also their hearts. Planting these seeds of respect for the environment in today’s youth is an honorable task, one for which PEC Naturalist Tom Shepherd received an Environmental Educator’s Life Achievement Award.

Piedmont Environmental Center (PEC) is a protected preserve of 376 acres with over eleven miles of hiking trails for you to enjoy seven days a week. Laurel van Deusen of PEC can recite their history back to 1972. This outdoor environmental education terrain is a wonderful place to learn from the Naturalists. Perhaps you will consider helping them reach their goal of doubling their memberships by September 2007! Even non-participating memberships are needed to help maintain this beautiful place. Donations and volunteers are always welcome – see http://www.piedmontenvironmental.com.

Dick Thomas, the Executive Director of PEC, shared “There is no separation whatsoever between humankind and the Natural World. We have grown out of the Earth as a plant grows out of soil. PEC's classes, activities and ecotours help people of all ages to understand and identify with the life forms with which we share the Earth, and the systems that bind us together.”

Think about this: the trees are our lungs; the air is our breath; the waters are our blood; the plants are our foods and medicines. The birds, animals, amphibians and insects hold the balance. We, as human beings are the ones who hold the key to our preservation. Let’s join together and unlock the possibilities of a greener tomorrow.

Demonstrate your desire for Earth Harmony by taking responsibility for yourself and your family. Get educated (see “Environmental Resources”) and learn how you can make changes that matter. Simply cutting back 5-10% a week can make a big difference. Instead of doing things that “use” the Earth’s resources, take a hike and “experience” her resources instead. By getting outside and connecting to nature, you can connect to yourself and your loved ones in a more natural, less stressful way, not to mention the wonderful health benefits you get from walking, hiking, bicycling. Your heart will thank you in more ways than one!

Terry Rader serves as a messenger for the Earth in her writing, storytelling, drumming, songs, and in her work connecting folks to nature with her partner, Blair Caudle. Terry is also an herbalist, Practitioner of Maya Spiritual Healings, and the Creative Director for a green agency. You can contact her regarding this Earth Harmony Column at ravenseesall@earthlink.net.