I go through phases. I go through lots of very different phases, but one of my most common phases, is my nature phase. My family and I used to travel all the time, mostly to mountains or deserts. We camped, hiked, explored, and enjoyed all of nature’s beauties. Slowly, as my sister and I got older, our camping trips began to fade away, and we haven’t been on one in years. For a while I didn’t go outside much, never explored pretty places, and was always indoors when I was with my friends. I refused a hike every chance I could, and complained endlessly.
However, about a year and a half ago, I stopped finding comfort in people. I lost more friends than I could count and I felt like no one could offer me any comfort or love. I turned to the closest thing I could. Nature. I sat on my rock by my little pond for at least two hours a day, if not more. I secluded myself from everyone I knew, and became completely immersed in nature.
Sine then, I have found a group of friends that makes me feel more loved than anyone ever has. However, I still rely heavily on the wonders of nature to make me feel calm and at peace. The sky, to me, is the most beautiful thing in the world. I could look at the sky for the rest of my life. The soft rumble of thunder when dark gray clouds cover the sky; the bright colors of a sunrise or sunset that reflect in your eyes; even a clear blue sky brings me joy. Finding shapes in clouds has always been my favorite game and I do not understand people who don’t see the man in the moon.
There’s something peaceful in almost every aspect of nature and the Earth. There’s something peaceful in watching lightning strike, feeling raindrops on your skin. There’s something peaceful in lying completely still to let the sound of a rushing stream fill your ears. There’s something peaceful in letting your feet sink into the grainy sand every time a wave breaks over your feet. There can sometimes be a sense of peace in the noise of katydids every summer night.
The big country skies, the sandy beaches, the purple headed mountains, rivers and valleys, everything the earth has to offer us, brings me a sense of peace. I need my people, and I love and cherish them more than anything. But sometimes all you need is some peace and quiet, with nothing but the faint buzz of bees or the trickle of a stream to calm you down on the days you feel the most alone. I may be alone at times, but somehow, nature makes me feel full again. I could stare at the world for the rest of my life and not once feel alone or sad.
Thank you, sky. Thank you for being what I first look at when I wake up and what I last look at before falling asleep. Thank you for creating the most beautiful moments and for holding my lost loves so close. Thank you mountains, for offering a contrast to the sky, while adding your own beauty. Thank you earth, for being my saving grace when I couldn’t find anything else to save me. Thank you for giving me a phase.
