I needed something to shift. I’m not even sure I knew what, I wasn’t terribly distraught, albeit I was quite stressed about a few things. I found my mind busying itself and I needed a break. It seemed simple enough: “go outside” a little voice subtly commented inside my heart. I knew that would be great. Then there was the matter of motivation.

I live in Western Washington and it’s the cold and damp season. It has been for a while. I don’t want to get 5 million layers on and be cold. The little voice comments again, “You will NOT be cold. You’ll probably be too warm!” I cannot argue. Again, I know this is accurate. The sun is out right now and this is likely what grabbed my attention in the first place: a change in the light. I am a solar powered being.

I do numerous things before I finally kick my own butt in gear to change out of my cozy inside clothes. I unload and load the dishwasher. I have a snack. it’s 1:37 pm. I check all my apps again. Just in case there is new info since 20 minutes ago. I play with the cats again. Even they want to go outside. I can do this.

“Okay, okay” I tell myself as I see the sky brightening a bit as the sun pokes out, “I’m doing it. It’s 1:50 and it is NOT getting any warmer out there.” I put on all the layers. fill my pockets with all the things - cough drops, a handkerchief, lip balm, a little water bottle, snacks, you name it. 2:17 pm, I’m finally out the door.

As I walk along the paved paths, I notice a few birds nearby, chirping and zipping around. I cross the main street over to the local wetland area and instantly feel this lightness within me. My mind is quiet, I am in my favorite state: awe and wonder. The shift has happened and, as usual, I wish I’d come out sooner! (I didn’t grab my headlamp.) I am present. I begin noticing more and more around me using all of my senses.

I brought my camera and am now capturing the wonders all around me: sun, reflections, crows, the heron, other winged ones, puddles, water droplets, leaves and tiny little fungi. Is there anywhere else in the world I’d rather be than here, in this moment, right now? No way. “Tap tap tap ta-tap-tap.” I look up. This woodpecker is very nearby. I am so giddy with delight that I came out and there is so much life just outside my door. I see it. The Northern Flicker. She is just above me on the snag pecking away.

In this instance, the shift took approximately 3-10 minutes from when I began to notice birds chirping until the moment I heard the Flicker tapping. This is how quickly I experienced “the shift” that I love so much when life gets to be a little too busy or chaotic or just heavy. No matter what kind of day I’m having, time in nature ALWAYS makes me feel better. I didn’t care that it was wet because I was warm and dry under my clothing. I was delighted to see the rain disappear and the sun come out for the window of time I was out that day. I mean, look at that woodpecker! All of those varied feather colors and patterns, the way it blends and grips the tree! I am never ever bored outside. Ever.

I cannot begin to list all of the earth kin I encountered this day, in just an hour or so. I had a connection with an American Robin who paused to take me in. I saw one of the Great Blue Herons stretching her wings and catching her afternoon snack. I enjoyed some mental metaphors while looking at the sleeping swan surrounded by various smaller water fowl. I saw countless reflections of birds and turtles on and in the lake to puddles and trees reflected in water droplets. I watched a Northern Flicker (woodpecker) for some time and sensed a petite little Cooper’s Hawk way up in a tree next to me. I took a photo of a hummingbird only later to discover an eagle had flown by in the background. I gazed into immaculately clear water. And saw wood ducks, turtles and moss, oh my! Best of all, true to my nature, I saw myself happy in the place I always love to be: Immersed in nature inside and out. Content. Present.