Did you know that people who appreciate nature tend to be happier? I’ve been thinking about why that is true. Sometimes, a breeze will touch our face and twirl our hair. The trees will rustle and a few leaves might dance to the ground. Flowers dot the earth in brilliant colors. The sun will feel hot on our skin and the pattern that the branches make on the ground is unable to be fully copied by the human hand. All of this happens many seconds over, all with different snapshots and moments - one never just like the other. And typically, we fail to notice. Sometimes, it is inevitable. Sometimes, our mind is buried in another time. Connected to our phones or into a different moment, but so disconnected from this moment.

Why do we struggle to do something that is proven to make us happier? Well, that question is complicated and does not just pertain to this scenario. I think if we realized why it was making us so happy, then we would be more apt to take in that moment of incomparable beauty happening around us.

So what is so special about nature? There is a quote that roughly states that if we appreciate what a miracle a single flower is, then we would live life differently. If you take a moment to take in the flower, the trees, the grass, etc and truly think about how amazing it is that they are in existence and how incredible it is that you are in existence, many things in life become more of a blessing and less of a burden.

But there's more to it than just that. Living in a world that can be so connected and consumed in other moments and conversations instead of what is in front of their face, beautiful moments pass by. Nature is something that naturally occurs in this world. Isn't that such a gift and beautiful part of being alive? We should be ashamed to let too many of those moments to appreciate such raw and natural beauty slip through our fingertips and into the bottom half of the hourglass.

I challenge you to walk into nature and appreciate it and feel it for a moment in time. That can be easier said than done and an article online is not likely to change your life or influence you too greatly when it comes incorporating certain steps into your daily life. But, I'm going to provide tips, anyways, because if there is just one person that can take away something from this, then I can smile and sleep happily.

It helps to put away technology for a second. Instead of typing away and burying your face in a phone while walking to class, your car, the grocery, try lifting it up and putting the phone way. Notice the world around you. Appreciate it as a miracle and a gift. Next, really try to focus in on some parts of nature. Focus your energy on what your eyes are seeing and really try to be present in the moment. Being present in the moment includes trying to quiet your mind some. For example, try not to think about the million things going on for the rest of your day. Take this moment, in nature, to appreciate what is right there in front of you.

There are many ways to do this and those are just some. Most importantly, enjoy this world some while it and you are still here.