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Nature Teaches Patience
A short, simple reminder
Last week I decided to go on a hike at a nearby park. Given the heat wave that was brutalizing much of the country, I was especially excited — knowing that I wouldn’t run into as many people and that it’d be quiet, except for the sweet sounds of nature of course.
The hike reminded me of a really simple lesson: slow down.
Be patient.
As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I’m in this purgatory state between finishing grad school in May and now searching for a job. The anxiety mounts each and every day that I don’t hear back from a position I applied to. I just want that next step in life to start already — I feel rested and energized, and so I’m ready to hit the ground running into that next chapter.
But surrounding myself with nature totally changed the headspace I’ve been in lately.
I was reminded of all of these natural processes that take time — particularly the way plants and leaves and other green stuff grows. It’s sped up during the summer, with more exposure to sun and water, though nonetheless is a slow process. If I go hike in this same place a week later (this week), everything will look pretty much the same.
In fact, over the course of my hike I recognized certain rocks in the ground and well-rooted trees…
