Weekly YES Quote!

“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”

John Muir

(Essential Muir: A Selection of John Muir’s Best Writings (California Legacy Book) is an affiliate link)

Weekly Reflection

The Fourth of July has always been a massive party for me and my friends. Besides my birthday, which usually falls on Memorial Day Weekend, the Fourth of July is by far my favorite holiday.

We plan a beach day, BBQ, or hangout session of some sort to spend the day without a care in the world, enjoying each other’s company while celebrating America’s Birthday.

Hello red, white, and blue everywhere!

But this year, with obvious reason… not so much.

Stress and anxiety had been mounting for me as the holiday weekend approached.

Would there be fireworks? Would I see my friends? If we could get a small group together, would we be able to chill on the beach and finish the day with a bonfire? Would anyone even want to get together? Would we be able to celebrate America’s birthday with some semblance of our stereotypical SoCal style?

So, rather than stay in San Diego, California, over the holiday weekend wondering what would and would not be available or happen, my close girlfriends and I loaded the car and hit the road for Durango, Colorado.

We planned a weekend to yoga, hike, river raft, lie in the hammock to enjoy a good book, paddle board… any activity that would get us outside and out of our negative head space.

And I will tell you, we have done just that: yoga, hike, river raft, read, and paddle board.

As John Muir says in this week’s yes quote:

“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”

Sometimes we need to immerse ourselves in nature to properly cleanse the spirit.

For me that meant leaving Southern California for Colorado.

For you it may mean something different.

What’s important is taking the time to get out of our regular routine to transport ourselves into Mother Nature’s loving embrace.

Weekly Challenge

When was the last time you stepped out into nature?

I’m not saying go surround yourself by trees to the point where no light pollution from town is visible (unless that’s your jam).

Maybe there’s a park you’ve been wanting to picnic at.

Maybe there’s a beach you’ve been wanting to walk to feel the light ocean breeze, sand between your toes, and salt water misting on your face.

Maybe there’s a grove of trees you’ve been wanting to take a casual stroll through.

Maybe there’s a river, creek, lake, or other body of water you’ve been wanting to dip your feet in while letting your mind wander.

Maybe there’s an outdoor walking path you’ve been wanting to walk or run.

Whatever your nature spot is, go there.

Take the time to sit in nature and release the worries that have been mounting.

Maybe the Fourth of July holiday doesn’t matter to you – that’s fine. The Fourth of July holiday is only one occasion we haven’t been able to fully partake in.

We’ve missed birthdays, other holidays, regular gatherings… shoot, basic hugging and handshakes have been discarded by the wayside.

We’ve all been halted from making or having plans for various reasons due to this global pandemic.

So take the time to go out into your happy place in nature.

Take the time to breathe in the fresh air to put life back into your amazing body.

Take the time to cleanse your spirit.

Challenge yourself to go do something in nature this week.

And when you’re in nature, take the time to let go of what you don’t have control over and simply appreciate that you’re here.

Reminder to Just Say Yes!

As always, say yes to experiences that present themselves to you! Life is full of fun and wonder – don’t be stuck at home wondering what life could be like, should be like, would be like… drop that nonsense! Get out there, say yes, and never look back!

Click on the links below to follow me on my social media accounts, and definitely subscribe to the blog for more Weekly Yes Quotes to help set your intention to kick start your week.

The link to Fred D White’s, Essential Muir: A Selection of John Muir’s Best Writings (California Legacy Book), is an affiliate link. If you purchase this book following my link I will receive a small kickback, and you will receive a wonderful edition to your collection! 

I’d love it if you shared some of the ways this week’s quote has made you feel, and how stepping out into nature has affected your life.