I blame it on the fact that my formative years were spent first on an island and afterwards in a city where we walked everywhere, but I love the outdoors. I love the sights, the smells and the feeling that I get when I connect with nature. For some it may something that you take for granted but when you’ve spent most of your adult life inside four walls for 10-14 hours a day, you forget what a joy it is to simply be outside.

Once a week my husband and I venture off alone to the ocean. Sometimes it’s just to sit and watch and listen but it has become something that we look forward to. Every single time my initial reaction is the same. “I can take a long, deep breath as soon as I see the waves and smell the salty air.” My pulse slows down, my mind clears and a smile begins. Every single time. Apparently it’s not just something I’m imagining. Science proves that we need to be outdoors for recharging and refreshing.

Before moving to California, our trips to the beaches in Florida became more and more infrequent as we tried to save up our vacation time for visiting our home, Utila. It was there that we both admitted how much we needed to make time away a priority but we soon realized that although being with family was amazing and doing ministry work fulfilling, what we really benefitted from was walking daily in the sunshine, sitting under our favorite tree near the beach or just watching the sun set at a local restaurant.

Watching the mighty waves of the Pacific Ocean crash against the shore in our new town always makes me feel small but in a great way. It makes me feel a part of something bigger than myself. It reminds me of the great love of God, His power and might and the fact that He created all of this just for me and you to enjoy. I’m presently at my parents’ and sisters’ house in the country and our daily walks around their property brings me so much joy. The trees cool everything down just a few degrees, the sweet taste of the wild blackberries growing around their property is a wonder, the ducks, geese and various birds are amazing to sit and watch. Everything slows down when we’re here and I love it. The peace, the quiet, the sounds. It’s just wonderful.

I was reading recently that being outdoors can boost not only your energy but could actually help with pain. It boosts your immune system as you breathe in good-for-you chemicals produced by plants, helping us to fight off infections. For me it cures me of writer’s block, every time! And one study showed that being out in nature can even help with our societal pressures by refocusing us on what is truly important which in turn helps us with our relationships. Wow! That is certainly true for Bud and I because we’re always more inclined to dive into some long, deep conversations when we’re relaxed and sitting outdoors.

So what are you waiting for?! Grab your journal, a book you’ve been wanting to read or a great playlist and find a park or green space, ocean or pond or even just your own backyard and carve out some time to just sit and dream or think. I promise you will be grateful that you did!