Hope you had a wonderful Earth Day!
Since I turned 40, I’ve been trying to adopt better habits for regulating myself and coping with the difficulties of life, career, parenting, political chaos, etc. As part of that, I’ve committed to taking a walk in nature (almost) every day, rain or shine. As much as possible, I just let myself be – with myself, with nature, to use that time as a kind of walking meditation.
It has been almost shockingly helpful and effective.
I’ve heard some say that we never really “self-regulate.” We always soothe and regulate ourselves in relationship to something outside of us. For some, that might be God. For others, it might be a friend, partner, or pet. For others, just their breath.
My walks give me a chance to use nature and the Earth as my regulation partner. Every day, it is there, offering everything that makes my life possible and fulfilling. I know I can rely on it. And it is stunningly, impossibly, beautiful and inspiring. That time in nature makes navigating today’s world so much more manageable and more full of gratitude and wonder.
Thank you, Earth. Happy Earth Day, everyone.
Peter Schulte
I help aspiring changemakers do good in the world and feel good in the process.