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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X – Xhale -Breathe-Connect!

A to Z Challenge – Nature and I

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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

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 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

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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.