You don't need to reconnect with Nature

I hear so many people lament that they want to reconnect with Nature. I’ve often said the same thing myself, especially when I’ve had to spend too much time in an urban environment or just indoors.  But I had a realization a while back that was so obvious it was embarrassing — I don’t need to “reconnect” with Nature because I can’t ever disconnect from Nature. 

Perhaps you’ve had the same realization? If not, take a deep breath. Take another long slow lung-filling breath. Now take one more. As you continue to breathe, as one does 24/7, ponder the fact that the molecules of air that you are breathing in have been circulating around the Earth, in and out of other living beings, for billions of years. Yup, the breath you just took in may contain molecules that at one time passed through ancient Stromatolites, migrating Monarchs, indigenous peoples, or your own houseplant. As you breathe out, you’re sending those air molecules back into the ever-on-going systems and cycles of Nature.

Even if you’re sitting in a windowless building in front of a computer, myriad bacteria in your gut are actively digesting the food that you’ve eaten. And as you visit the bathroom, be grateful for the myriad bacteria at the wastewater treatment plant that are allowing your waste to be reintegrated into the soil, reintegrated into Nature’s systems and cycles. 

Every single cell in your body was made by Nature, is nourished by Nature — IS Nature. You are as natural and as much a part of Nature as a mushroom, a ladybug, a hummingbird, an elephant, a giant redwood. You can’t not be connected to Nature. 

Whenever you feel disconnected from Nature, pause and take a few deep breaths and know yourself, feel yourself, as a fully engaged participant in Nature. Then, when you get the chance, disconnect from technology and get outside in Nature!


Now that you know you are Nature, you might be interested in how to “Think Like Nature”.  If so, there’s still space in the last of our Think Like Nature online workshops: How to Be Happy with Less by Thinking Like Nature [9-11amPDT 29June2023]