When I read the New York Times, I always go straight to the Modern Love column and Social Q’s in the Style Section, then I head back to the most popular articles. I deliberately spend a small amount of time on this because one of my highest priorities is To Be Outside. That is my social Q and modern day love story.
It works for me. I’ve heard it does for many others too—for quality of life improvements and the endless gratitude it brings for this blue spec on which we live and love.
Downshift
A little bit each day—or a lot
Give it a shot
Flowers in the ground or a clay pot
Connect the dots
I love you a lot
Purposely look up. Flexicute! Execute some flexibility. Be willing to venture off the main path to see something specific and spectacular. Connect. Pay close attention. Life is simply gorgeous, and always different.
Watch what happens when you fall madly in love with the outdoors.
Outside is the only therapy I’ll ever seek. It’s church to me. I prioritize my time this way through working in the yard, walking, hiking trails, birdwatching, and keeping a wildflower garden that attracts all sorts of lovely insects and butterflies. Even washing windows is an excellent excuse to be outdoors and lovely exercise with more than one purpose.
EV-ER-Y day is new. The weather doesn’t have to be perfect, just plain good. Fresh air, wind in your hair. After work. Before work. And for the weekend, kick up the earth.
Sure it’s awesome when there’s a crystal-clear blue sky with sunshine, but you bet I’ll take a little rain sometimes. Water is the lifeblood of nature and agriculture and the premium fuel on which we rely. The latest additions to my garden are beaming and have me dreaming of larger patches of the same.
Close the computer and put away your phone for a little bit for some nature therapy. Plant the seeds of love.
The way we live is what keeps us healthy and strong. Our tribe, nature walks, small plates. The TED Talks I’ve been listening to lately all seem to theme around this, too. One of my recent favorites is this one by Dan Buettner in which he shares the 9 common diet and lifestyle habits that keep centenarians full of vim and vigor past age 100.
Have you tried outside? I mean, truly tried it. It doesn’t cost a thing. It’s your best thing and at the same time, everything. Think about it—but not for too long—only because I actually care that you’ll miss out on nurturing yourself with nature.
As Benjamin Franklin said, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.”
