“The goal of life is living in agreement with nature” — Zeno Nature is transitioning, the light has shifted, the small birds are back, the days have a little more warmth in them, physically and mentally we are noticing this transition. The natural cycle is taking its next turn of the wheel. At the same time as this natural process is moving, we may be noticing a quickening within us, a desire to step forward and do more, a desire to "get going." This is also natural as we allow our animal bodies to attune with the rhythms of nature and her own cycle of quickening. However, unlike birds, coyotes and deer, we human animals are overloaded with stress and anxiety. This is a symptom of our dominant culture, the culture to push and grind and produce all the time. It is also being compounded by what is happening all around us in the United States and around the world with an incredible amount of change, uncertainty and a resulting sense of chaos. It is of great importance to our well-being and vitality that we find ways to support ourselves. Right now, a lot of people are feeling elevated levels of fear, concern, anger, hopelessness and apathy. When I was a young boy, frustrated with my sisters or losing a game of rugby or feeling some injustice in my young life, my mother would always invite me to step outside. Sometimes that was to go explore the wildness of the fields and mountains behind our house, other times it was simply to stand outside for a few minutes before bedtime. She followed the wisdom of "if in doubt, get out (side)." I still do this today, without fail, every time I stand outside to breathe in the air, look at the trees, watch a squirrel race around or gaze at the stars on a chilly night, my nervous system settles. It resets itself, allowing me more inner compassion and I feel a little more resourced to meet the moment of my life. So, during this natural time of quickening in nature, as spring starts to emerge and winter fades, allow yourself as many moments as you can to explore these mini moments of practice: Before you go to bed, open the door, and gaze up at the sky for a minute, allow yourself to feel the bigness of the universe and your connection to it. As you work from your office or home, ask for a “walking meeting” rather than being stuck on Zoom or in the building. Instead of watching TV, one night during the week, pull a chair to a window and listen to some music and simply look outside. Play with “no digital activity without outdoor activity” — spend a few minutes outside before you settle into your favorite show. The next time you walk past a tree, pause and place your hand on it and feel the connection to the roots and the deeper earth. The Spring Equinox is coming, gently find ways to resource yourself, through the incredible power of nature so that you minimize your burnout and disconnection in these times. "Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself." — Henry David Thoreau At Kripalu, we are encouraging ourselves to be in nature and attuned to her rhythms, balancing what we take into our bodies, minds and hearts during this time. I look forward to next month when we can look at the power of the Equinox and its medicine for us.