Finding Peace in Nature

The pattering of the rain through the trees down to the leave padded floor is one of the purest sounds in nature. It is soft and subtle and undemanding. I squat down and try to drown out the sounds of the roosters crowing and the highway in the background. If I close my eyes, I can almost imagine I am someplace wilder than the shallow depths of the Alabama backwoods out behind my house. 

I feel the gentle brush of fur along the side of my leg. I open my eyes to two of the happiest dogs. They are all tongue lolling smiles and prancing paws. I give their damp fur a quick pat before they bound off ahead on another thrilling chase. These two four-legged friends always remind me to take inventory of the simple pleasures in life. 

I rise up, extending my arms out wide, face and palms to the sky. I allow the drops of rain to find my face and upturned hands as I slowly spin around in circles, a reverent dance of morning joy. I love dancing in the rain. I continue down the trail. My boots pad along the rain-soaked leaves and seek traction on the slick rocks. I find my balance and amble along to the end of the path. 

My boys are waiting for me. They know our routine all too well. I give my turn-around-tree a big hug before spinning on my heels and pointing my boots towards home. The wind rustles the bare branches overhead. I cue up a favorite song on my iPod, give Halo's stick a toss, and bury my damp hands in my raincoat pockets.

With each step, I find a deep peace in these damp woods. Whether the sun is peaking over the horizon, the birds are chirping, or the sky is weeping a sad song through the trees, nature never fails to soothe my soul and sand down the rough edges of life.

Narrator

This blog was thoughtfully written by Amy Gravlee. You can find her on Instagram at @amygrvl.