Find Inner Harmony in Nature

Cornell University conducted a study in 2001 that suggested children were profoundly impacted in a positive way when surrounded by and exposed to nature.

Their psychological well-being and focus significantly increased when surrounded by trees, plants, and grassy areas in their everyday living environment.

The same institution has recently turned a parking lot near a nursing home into a garden paradise and will now document how the new, easily accessible environment will affect the resident's mental and emotional health.

President of Midpoint Trade Books in New York City, Eric Kampmann likes to regularly get out into local wilderness areas to find peace and re-build his energy. He frequently hikes the Bear Mountain area along the Appalachian Trail north of the Hudson River.

"Prior to getting to Bear Mountain you cross over Black Mountain, and you can look south and over to see the buildings of New York City. You look out over an immense river and forests. There's something breathtaking about it."

Kampmann says that as life gets more complicated you need to maximize your life versus minimizing it, with opportunities to break out from the norm, get some fresh air, and avoid the stay-at-home and watch-television attitude.

He says you can overcome fears and create a balance in yourself by being in nature. "I think there is something within us that seeks harmony," says the dedicated hiker. "Harmony has a physical and spiritual dimension to it."

I also spoke to nature adventure leader Brian Brawdy, who was internationally publicized during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City -- while he comfortably survived outdoors overnight in sub-freezing weather in a tent.

A former police officer, in 1986 Brawdy was left with his father's note of blaming him for his suicide, unexpectedly changing the then public servant's life forever.

"I resigned from the police department, sold everything, and ended up in Santa Monica," he told me. During that time, he studied many books on psychology, philosophy and comparative religion to understand his situation, the unfortunate last words of his father, and the resulting emotional dilemma. What he discovered was that being in nature helped him to find his own personal faith.

Since then, Brawdy formed his business to help other people get outside so that they could have the quiet time needed to seek their own divinity -- whatever shape, form, or perhaps religion that would awaken the "still, small voice...so that people can find themselves in nature," says Brawdy.

For some, finding 20 minutes for a small walk outside, enjoying an open window, or relaxing on a porch during a sunset is all that is needed to calm the mind and spirit. You have 72, 20-minute chunks of time in a 24-hour period. So, you're only looking at a 72nd portion of each day to break away into nature to synchronize your life.

However, if you live in an urban environment, you might have to bring nature to you. The Humane Society has an Urban Wildlife Sanctuary program, www.wildneighbors.org that gives you lots of ideas and how-to's for creating a garden paradise (even on a ledge, patio, or roof) that will also invite local wildlife.

Iris Rothman, who lives in downtown Washington, D.C., created a small city sanctuary in her very small backyard and on her roof. She now has many squirrel and bird regular guests. Reading her morning paper outside, even in the winter when she can, she says "It's a wonderful way to start the day."

By Terra Wellington