I was feeling kind of glum the other day. And as per usual, I stepped outside to spend some time with Mama Nature via my nearby nature trail. As I was walking, I just noticed that even though I was in kind of a blah mood, Mama Nature was just there for me. I felt her gentle vibes just kind of cradling me in kindness. And in that moment, I felt so supported, and so super grateful to have this beautiful relationship with her. I know not everyone can access nature on a regular basis. But I’m telling you, if you are able, spend regular time with Mama Nature and see what happens. Your life will become that much more magical, I promise!
You might enjoy my article, “The Magic of Flowers and Why I Need Them In My Life.”
MY HISTORY WITH MAMA NATURE
My relationship with Mama Nature began at a really early age. I know I’m not as lucky as some, growing up on a farm, or living off of the land. That would have been my dream childhood! I actually grew up in a city, and lived in an exclusively urban setting for the first eight years of my life. However, I still remember my father taking my sister and I out to our grandmother’s house. She lived outside of the city. And in addition to the fact that she was my favorite person in the whole world, and just let me be me, no matter what. She also seemed to have a kind of magic about her, and every time I saw her, we would almost always spend quality time in nature.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but I believe that my grandmother needed Mama Nature in her life as much as I do now. We were always outside walking her dog. So, of course, that’s a great way to spend time in nature. But she was also so very tapped into Mama Nature’s rhythms. She would keep beautiful things that she found outside in nature, inside, displayed on tables and counters. And she would show me things like how to maintain a compost pile, and how to naturally dry fruit in the windowsill. Or how to look for fairies inside of the Jack-in-the-pulpits that lined the wooded trail where we walked.
I recall one winter, she also showed me how to make maple taffy. Which is just hot maple syrup poured on clean white snow to create a soft candy. It didn’t really turn into candy that afternoon, but it was still fun!
My grandmother believed in the gentleness of Mama Nature. And she spent regular time with her, learning her ways, and appreciating her love. As an adult woman, looking back on that time, I now see why she spent so much regular time outside.
MAMA NATURE HEALS THE BODY AND THE SOUL
Damn, the world can be so cruel sometimes. And we all experience wounds and pains. With all of the harshness in this world, there are few things that we can absolutely, 100% rely on, to give us the gentle love we need, when we need it. But Mama Nature is one of those reliable sources.
I know it doesn’t always seem this way. And I don’t suggest you attempt to spend quality time with Mama Nature when she’s in an uproar. By the way, she doesn’t create storms, and chaos, and natural disasters because she’s angry. She does this because she must, in order to maintain the intricate balance required by our unfathomably complex ecosystem.
But, when she’s not in an uproar, she is tremendously, unconditionally loving.
You might enjoy my article, “Tree Friend,” where I share about my experience, building a relationship with a particular tree in nature.
Trees, and rocks, and twittering birds, and gentle breezes, are all part of Mama Nature’s love. And if you can step outside on a regular basis, and experience this love, you can heal, gently and gradually. She is so full of love. And nothing heals a person from deep trauma and pain, like unconditional love. Some may even say that receiving unconditional love is the ONLY way to heal. And even though loving family members, friends, therapists, and loved ones, are so important. There is something about Mama Nature. She just does it better. She’s more powerful than a human being, and her love actually runs deeper.
YOU MAY THINK YOU KNOW HER
I remember, I used to think I had the whole “relationship with nature” thing covered. I spent more time in nature than most. And I always appreciated and respected her glory. But there is a big difference between loving nature from afar and treating her with kindness, and actually spending in-person time with her, regularly.
Imagine you have a crush on someone (or maybe you have one now and you don’t have to imagine it!). You admire them from afar and think they are the most attractive person you have ever seen. You observe their behavior and they seem nice, and smart, and awesome. But you’ve never really talked to them for very long, if at all. And you really don’t know much about who they actually are. You don’t know them the way you know your close friends or family members. And guess what? You never will until you spend LOTS of time with them!
The same is true for Mama Nature.
YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW SOMEONE UNITL YOU SPEND LOTS OF TIME WITH THEM
Building a close and trusting relationship with someone takes time. You need to see them in different lights and different moods. And they need to see you in different lights as well. Over time, you go through things together, learn from one another, work through your differences, and celebrate your joys together. It’s a delicious experience to be close to someone. And the same kind of varied experiences are required in order for you to really know Mama Nature.
MAMA NATURE HAS MANY FACES
I am actually a bit obsessed with spending time in nature. And I honestly feel really off if I can’t spend at least 30 minutes a day on my nature trail with her. And do you know why? It’s because I’m worried that I will miss the chance to get to know another side of her. The light shines differently on her surface, every hour of every day. And no two days are alike. I love her when she’s gray and rainy, and I love her when she’s warm and golden. And I love all of her in-between faces as well, and feel sad when I miss the chance to witness them.
I would say that I am now, and forever will be, a student of Mama Nature. There are SO many things I don’t understand. And all I can do is continue to spend regular time with her, keeping an open heart and mind. I don’t ever want to take her for granted, and I don’t ever want to stop learning. She is the loveliest thing that ever was.
THANK YOU!
So, what is your relationship with Mama Nature like? Can you spend time with her every day? How do you like to get to know her? And what are your favorite nature-related memories from childhood? Thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoyed! xo

My beautiful and beloved Baba, supporting me at my senior show in college, ca. 2002.
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PHOTO CREDITS
Featured photo by Cédric VT on Unsplash
Jack-in-the-pulpit image obtained here
Stream photo by Radek Jedynak on Unsplash
Flower and sunset photo by Dan Blackburn on Unsplash
Your baba is beautiful. I can see a resemblance between you two. ❤️
Like you, I love nature and really feel like some alone time in nature can heal so much. Even when I’m solo traveling, I try to schedule some time to just be in some place with nature. As much as I would love to spend some time daily in nature, I can’t always find the time. But visiting the park near my house always makes me so happy.
Like I said in my post on my religious beliefs, being an agnostic – I look for the unexplained power looking over us in nature. ❤️
Oh I love that so much. Yes, I tend more towards agnosticism the older I get, and so nature really speakers to me bc it’s this force I can’t really explain but it just makes me feel good. Thank u for the compliment! Yes she was sooooo lovely! xoxo 💔💔💔🌺🌺🌺
Aww I love the pic of you and your Baba😍❤️ such a beautiful dedication to the person that first connected you to mama nature. I, too, love being in nature; I love going on hikes and discovering new trails and seeing all the different trees… Some people see a tree and think ‘tree’ but I like to notice all the different characteristics of the tree compared to other trees! Nature fascinates me in that it always recalibrates itself. I love the resilience of nature, that inspires me.
Thanks for sharing with us your intimate stories of your Baba and what she taught you. ❤️
Awww yay yes, u totally get it! Sounds like you’re on a journey with nature like me, always open and learning. It seems crazy but I don’t think everyone is like that. So it’s nice to come across a fellow “traveler” 🌏🌍🌎🥰🌸🌺🍃 And thank u, yes my Baba was as lovely as you think she would be 💖!
Libby, you and your Baba kinda look like twins!
Ha yeah I’ve gotten so many people tell me that it’s so nice ☺️ except for our height she was so tiny and I’m 5’10” ha!
Beautiful photo and sweet memories of time with your grandmother ❤. Nature is a universal healer and so important for my wellbeing every day.
Thank u, she was the best 💔 Yes I can always tell from your gorgeous photos how much u appreciate nature as well. Thank u for reading, Goddess. And thinking of u 🌺🌺🌺
💜