Last weekend my boys were unsettled. They were not acting like themselves. They were either whiny or got mad over the little things or were super silly. Ironically it is the ridiculously silly part that drives me nuts!
I have no patience when my boys are not acting respectful. None. They do not get out of it just because they are kids or “it is a phrase”. No way. I hold my kids accountable.
After many times of talking to them, I could see they simply were not grounded. So we packed up our car and headed out of town.
When we arrived at Little Salt Springs I gave clear instructions. “When we get out of the car, there will be no talking. We will be walking in nature in silence. We are to be observers. When it is time to talk, I will talk first. ”
The boys quietly got out of the car and followed my lead into prairie grass that was taller then their heads. We bent under tree branches and whisked away the weeds that were in our path.
After a few minutes I found a clearing. A nearly perfect circle of trees. We stood in a circle and held hands as I said a prayer outloud. In my prayer I asked that each of us remember the stillness of nature and that we bring that into our hearts.
We parted with smiles as the boys went off to explore and my husband and I stood there feeling the peacefulness that just came over us. Whew!
For the next 30 minutes, the boys whispered and quietly laughed as they found new things in nature.
We found a log chewed off by a beaver.
They searched for bugs hidden in their natural camaflogue on leaves.
Finding and gathering milk weed pods was by far the most exciting and intriguing part.
Who knew that they would be so beautiful?
After this afternoon of observation and exploration among the leaves, bugs and trees the boys were grounded. They had felt the stillness of the earth and the presence of nature and thus, the creator.
The rest of the day our family was filled with peace.
So the next time your kids are bouncing off of the walls, go for a silent walk in nature. After all nature is the original Prozac.
Blessings,
Summer Joy
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