Reflections – A to Z Challenge 2022!

Nature and I

I have always been in awe of nature and her multifaceted persona. To me she is an epitome of flawless beauty. Through eons, nature has buried untold emotions within her soul, yet she continues to bless and heal.

The theme of Nature and I, for this year’s challenge, was a reflection of my growth under her benign gaze. Starting from the basics of breathing right, to allowing her light to guide me to be mindful, help me introspect and enjoy the sounds of silence, teaching me the art of letting go, reminding me to pause and just be, being ok with accepting my imperfections, I felt a deep paradigm shift. The balance and connect with nature, has enriched the quality of my life.

On this challenge, I was delighted to have found many like-minded people, who shared a similar sentiment. They accompanied with me on this enlightening journey and I’m so grateful to them for their company and the inputs they shared.

I was also privileged to read a rich array of work here. From musings, to technology driven content, fiction, parenting gyan, poetry…I was impressed by the ingenious styles, research and literary verses that flowed here. Extremely happy, that I have added more friends from the community to radhikasreflections.

Completing the challenge, gave me a supreme sense of satisfaction. I would also like to congratulate my fellow bloggers for doing so, with aplomb.

Hope the fragrance of my gratitude reaches your heart!

You can read all my posts of A to Z Challenge here.

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Z – Zen!

A to Z challenge – Nature and I

Today is the last post of the A to Z challenge. This journey with nature has mellowed me, opened up layers of my personality hidden deep, helped me release my emotional baggage and accept life and its offerings with grace. I am thankful that my connect with nature has been an enlightening experience for me.

leninscape@pixabay.com

In the lap of nature, the connect ignites a trigger

the mind delves deeper within the confines of self,

arriving at the inner unexplored sanctum.

The layers of ignorance unravel slowly,

 multitude of thoughts, gently settle into sedation.

Bedazzled by the radiance of the mystic aura,

it revels under the new found feeling of bliss,

soaking in a beauteous facet emerging.

Tuning in to the faint susurrations of the cosmic energy,

floating in the stillness of that embryonic light,

 the soul listens to the sounds of silence,

 resonating with vibrations of infinite peace.

You can read my earlier posts of the challenge here.

A big thank you to all my readers who stayed with me on this journey and showered their love on my work. Stay safe, connect with nature and always be happy !

Y- Yugen!

A to Z challenge 2022 – Nature and I

Yugen (noun)

Yugen is an important concept in traditional Japanese aesthetics. There are moments in life, where words seem inadequate to describe your experience.

Yugen means a profound awareness of the universe that triggered feelings too deep and mysterious for words.

“To watch the sun, sink behind a flower clad hill. To wander on in a huge forest without thought of return. To stand upon the shore and gaze after a boat that disappears behind distant islands. To contemplate the flight of geese seen and lost among the clouds…” Zeami Motokiyo

Today on this penultimate day of the challenge I take you along me on a morning walk in the woods, where I experienced a wondrous feeling of Yugen.

The walk along the muddy trail of the forest was a revelation. An amalgam of verdant tan, the trees breathed an organic scent. The verdure paradise was slowly awakening from its deep mossy slumber into a moist misty morning.  The raw breeze and foggy veil had an mystic allure to it. Their entwined roots and strong embracing boughs were a testimony of their primeval connect.

 The twigs crunched under my feet as I ambled along the wet brown path.  The woody heaven came alive to the sounds of the forest. The chirps of the avian, scuttling rabbits, rustling foliage, scurrying squirrels, hissing reptiles, trill of the insects, sounds of arboreal creatures and the cry of the wild, all playing at their own rhythm yet orchestrating a perfect harmony.

The ambience of the forest stopped the clock. I lost myself into her welcoming arms. Under the canopy of a green palette, I inhaled the freshness of natural wonder, soaked in the beauty of flora and fauna, admired the medley of diversity, and listened to the pure and earthen tales of the wilderness. What started as a mere amble, culminated in an soul stirring experience which was hard to put down in words.

You can read my earlier posts from the challenge here.

X – Xhale -Breathe-Connect!

A to Z Challenge – Nature and I

JillWellington@pixabay.com

Success in life today is defined by materialism, numbers, TRPs, increased revenues…and the list goes on. Gadgets and screens dominate and demand a massive chunk of our time. Despite so many machines to ease our work, we are stressed for time and hide under a cloak of busyness. Deadlines blare at us from all sides. The fate of our decisions always lies in a cliffhanger. We are constantly living life on the edge.

Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. – Dolly Parton

We seem to have forgotten the art of breathing deep and relaxing. Breaking away from civilization, connecting with nature, spending time in the mountains or wilderness helps the body and mind to work in tandem.

With every breath of nature’s depth, she was becoming more herself. – Angie Weiland Crosby

Pause for a while. Be aware of your breath. Mindfulness can shift the focus of your life from shallow and short-lived happiness to a more holistic one. The difference experienced in the quality of life may be profound. We have read about a lot of people who burn out early, realign their life to the treasure trove of the ancient wisdom of conscious, purposeful and sustainable living to experience a profound shift in their quality of life.

Breathing in I calm my body, breathing out I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment. – Thich Nhat Hanh

When you are overwhelmed by life, just step into the lap of nature, exhale your stress, inhale the organic freshness of the place, rediscover the joy of breathing slowly. Feel the rush of oxygen rejuvenate your spirit. Being one with nature, experience its wonderful miracles work its magic on you. It washes your soul clean.

Throughout this series you must have observed the thread of nature with its nurturing and healing powers, bind my thoughts and experiences. Many times, we are just caught up in the rigmarole of circumstances and responsibilities. Only we can’t seem to navigate our hearts desire to live our life away from the chaos.  All one needs to do is connect with any of the elements of nature. Her energy rejuvenates us instantly.

If nature is your teacher, your soul will awaken – Goethe

Next time when life overwhelms you, remember to pause and breathe deep and connect.

In nature there is no Wi-Fi, yet the connection is better 😊

You can read my earlier posts from the challenge here.

W -Water Flow!

A to Z Challenge – Nature and I

pixabay.com

 Be it the gurgling calmness or the gushing fiesta, the sounds of water soothe the mind. Stand by the shore and observe the flow of water of the stream or river. They are in a continuous forward motion. Through the twists and turns, curves and slopes they meander their direction, but never stop. Its persistent temperament helps it to negotiate its way through the obstacles on its path, before finally merging into the ocean. When the terrain is conducive, their flow is smooth and fast paced. When hit by huge boulders or rocks they negotiate their way around them, without conflict or complaint, smoothening the harsh rocky surface of the stones.

Through its steady flow, it teaches us lessons in persistence. No matter what barriers obstruct its path, it continues its onward journey. Often, life too inundates us with many challenges. Using the same analogy, it is up to us to forge ahead and not wallow in the past or unduly worry about the future. It is practical to address the issue at hand to our best ability and move on.

“A river cuts through the rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.” Jim Watkins.

Have you tried meditating to the sounds of water? If not, do try it. Researchers believe that the sound of water can guide the neuronal waves in our brain, calming it down considerably.

meandering flow

reflective lessons for life

progressive journey

You can read my earlier posts from the challenge here.

V- Vulnerable Visage!

A to Z Challenge – Nature and I

papasmurfmods@pixabay.com

Vintage now, but dimpled smiles, buoyant emotions, vernal appeal defined nature’s looks back then

Veil of apathy, obsession with material development blurred man’s vision, as his tryst with progress continued unabated.

Values unmoored from his soul; the intellect eclipsed by the gossamer of unsatiable greed

Variegated panorama, scarred by his brazen nonchalance, burnt to ashes

Vestige contours of her primeval allure, fading into oblivion, buried under layers of manmade detritus

Vapid soul of nature gasps for breath, as the mortal hands pierce the scalpel deeper, she sheds silent tears, as her ruptured veins bleed a slow death

Virulence must stop, with a collective pledge to reinstate her lost verdant glory, or we brace ourselves to write an epitaph, to be tombed over mankind

You can read my earlier posts from the challenge here.

U – Unadulterated Beauty!

A to Z Challenge – Nature and I

Human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man – Anonymous

Man has managed to smudge most of nature’s natural picture with his murky hands. To be able to witness and experience its unblemished beauty is a rarity. Nature’s original look today, adorns layers of antiquity, as we have besmirched it beyond recognition. Man’s constant interference has sapped nature’s soul of life. Sadly, no man-made edifice can compare with the appeal of nature’s primeval visage.

Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunlight are hard to beat – Laura Ingalls Wilder

The eyes witness nature’s natural marvel

 my litany of verses fails to describe its beauty.

Adorning contrasting yet complementing layers,

its unadulterated looks fill me with awe.

His creation so pristine, delights the soul.

Its rapturous beauty beguiles my senses.

Soaking in the magical exuberance,

I leave with a prayer, that the remnant virginal allure

remains untouched by man’s sullied hands.

T- Thanksgiving!

A to Z Challenge – Nature and I

Ahamadreza@pixabay.com

Apart from the visual aesthetics, nature bestows us with salubrious nourishment. It calms the restless mind. Nature to me is an epitome of benevolence. She showers her blessings on all who seek. My hands join together in prayer of thanksgiving, for constantly nurturing and healing me.

Show gratitude to nature and it reciprocates ten folds – Rob C

I surrender my pain to the soul of the universe

to look beyond the illusion of emptiness, that besieges my heart.

My closed eyes watch a display of snippets

trying to navigate through the storms of my life

Amidst the raging internal din

a tiny ray peeps in to disperse the darkness.

I anchor on to light of trust,

the dark shadows of gloom begin to recede.

My teary emotions dry

beneath the brightening illumination.

I harvest a refulgent slice of peace

from the abundance of the cosmic energy,

ever grateful for her magnanimous grace.

You can read my earlier posts from the challenge here.

S – Seascape!

A to Z Challenge – Nature and I

Just sitting by the shore, watching the endless sea, conjures up so many emotions in me.

The slothful seas,

 slumbering waves yawn,

 ebbing gently onto the shore,

pacific tides humming soft lullabies.

Or

The enraged sea,

swollen with ire,

 thunderous rumbles lash out,

 the undulating waters pulsate a tempestuous crescendo.

Their enigmatic depths have always been a source of inspiration, awe and fear to some extent. It is as if there is a world of secrets buried beneath their depths.  Its ever-changing persona is the only constant. Each current, tide and wave scripts a change in its core, while outwardly it appears to be the same.

No man can step into the same river twice, as it is not the same river and he is not the same man – Heraclitus

Like the sea, experiences, environment and people influence us in many ways. We are constantly changing, evolving as a result. Though outwardly we appear the same, our personality is ever changing due to these external influences. We are not the same as we were a few years ago.

Like the sea, we are continually moving. Nothing stays with us. What remains is just the memories of some people who touched us as waves. Some bring in a sense of calm and balance in us while some elicit anger and negative emotions. But just like the endless sea, the saga of mankind continues for generations with “change” as the only constant.

You can read my earlier posts from the challenge here.

R – Rains!

A to Z Challenge – Nature and I

chulmin@pixabay.com

By July the monsoon bells ring in the Indian peninsula as the entire country is drenched in the sanguine pearls from the heavens. The parched land finds much respite from the sweltering summer heat sapping all energy from the flora and fauna. The insipid leaves get a glossy green makeover, insects cavort around in trilling conversations, meandering rivers swell with gushing pride, pastoral meadows awaken from their withered slumber, farmers send a prayer of gratitude, children squeal in glee, artistic minds conceive creative odes. Man and nature rejoice under the magical spell of rains.

Wafting petrichor

verdurous euphonic song

monsoon nirvana

When I watch the showers from my window, I realize apart from the sensory delight, there are many things it teaches us.

When the moisture overwhelms the clouds, they let go of their burden, in the form of rain. We need to imbibe the same. When we find it difficult to carry the emotional baggage in life, it is imperative that we learn to let go of it. The more we hold on to the pain, further down it will suck us into a dark whirlpool. So just like the rains, our emotions need a healthy release. Letting go is very vital to heal ourselves.

Every storm runs out of rain – Maya Angelou

At times, the overcast dark clouds and the incessant rain dampens our spirit and thwarts our plans. But in reality, this brooding melancholy doesn’t last forever. After hours of rain, the sky eventually clears up with the sun shining bright and sometimes rewarding us with a beautiful chromatic rainbow. With the same analogy, problems in life however bad they are, will be sorted and life will smile at us. Optimistic attitude is like an umbrella protecting us from getting drenched from the miseries of life.

You can read my earlier posts from the challenge here.