A Bird's Sturdy Nest

I've been seriously slacking the blog department. I had every intention of keeping this updated when I graduated, but then life happened. :) In the meantime, I decided to share the first chapter of a new project. Let me know what you think! (Pictures from this past weekend.)

Chapter 1 – A Bird’s Sturdy Nest

I write this as I sit in my fancy new backyard swing. My purpose in purchasing the swing was to have a comfy place to curl up and read while enjoying nature at the same time. It’s equipped with two tables, outdoor-grade cushions, and a shade. Needless to say, there is less reading and more observation of the little ecosystem around me. It’s nearly impossible for us naturalists to ignore nature and all the lessons that its careful observation share with us. We currently live in Arizona, home to hot, dry weather, endless sunny days, distinct flora and fauna, and occasional monsoons. It was our first summer monsoon last night that prompted me to write this book. I will attempt to put into words those things that touch me so deeply. I hope that I can convey how wonderful our little planet is. I hope I can encourage you to just notice the world around you. There is so much to learn from the natural world.

Last night’s rain, thunder, and lightning brought all the birds out to play this early May morning. The flowers seem especially happy and it’s a quiet, cool Monday in my Mesa, Arizona home. I sat in my fancy backyard swing with the full intention of beginning my aromatherapy homework. As fascinating as essential oils, holistic healing, and Hippocrates are, they just can’t compete with the calming meditative state that comes with watching a bird fly back and forth between my yard and a neighbor’s tree. Each trip, she carried back only one blade of dried grass or small stick for her nest. Back and forth, back and forth, all morning; building against a backdrop of blue and last night’s storm clouds drifting away. She didn’t enlist other birds to help, she didn’t try to carry more than what was comfortable. She didn’t rush. She patiently builds her nest as I type. 

It was then that I noticed another nest, this one in my little Elm tree. The nest has been in this tree, unused to my knowledge, for at least two years. It looks as perfect as it did last year. It has sat strong in the face of the Arizona summer heat, fierce monsoons, and haboobs. I question if a twig has fallen out of place. It makes me think to our immediate reaction to a storm, other than excitement, of course. Desert rain is a fair cause for celebration.  The merlot is known to be uncorked and enjoyed with doors open on a stormy night. Prior to the merlot, I usually rush outside to take down the shade cloth, bring in anything that could be damaged, and worry about the welfare of my garden. How will it fare in this storm? Will the sunflowers be okay? What about my seedlings? Should I protect them from this rain and wind? It should be noted that 99.9% of the time, the flora in my yard are perfectly fine. Happier, in fact – I’m unable to water them with as much skill and finesse as a May monsoon. 

Yet, here sits the little nest. As the monsoon winds push my little Elm to limits bordering horizontal, there it rests. A little bird built it, twig by twig. It wasn’t rushed. It endures. It sits now as a reminder to me of patience and as a humbling reminder that I am just a human; just one species out of so many on this magical planet. Many of the species on our planet, plants included, have been here in some form much longer than we. They have adapted perfectly. They know that extravagant isn’t always best. They know that less is often more. They know that quality is more important than quantity or speed. How often have we put these lessons to the side? How often we assume that we are superior, that nature can just be ignored, that there is nothing to learn. How very wrong we are. 

Affirmation:

“I walk through life with patience.” 

My Story: Why I Stopped Wearing Makeup

I’m going to preface this post by stating that I’m not in any way against the wearing of makeup. This post is about my journey, and it in no way affects my view of yours. 

It’s been about six months since I stopped wearing makeup every day. Why? What sane female of 2015 America would ever say “to hell with makeup!”? (Of course, I’m speaking about those of us that grew up wearing it since our mom’s gave us the okay! YESSS. FINALLY!) In our America, we’re inundated by magazines, billboards, advertisements, movies – any outlet you can imagine – showing beautiful, thin, pore-less women with flawless, radiant skin, perfect teeth, perfect hair, and sparkling eyes. From a young girl, we’re taught by society that that’s who we should be. 

Perfect makeup? Check.

Nails? Check.

Greys? OH NO. 

Anything short of this can be met with comments like “When I look at her nails I seriously wonder if she loves herself.”

That’s a real thing. Someone said that once. 

We’re being taught that we should strive to be this perfect woman who, quite frankly, doesn’t exist. We’re taught that we aren’t good enough, that all signs of aging should be hidden, and that we should play up our features to feel good about ourselves. It works. Who doesn’t feel great after a day of pampering at the salon and leaving with that salon-perfect hair that you can never replicate at home. We love putting on new outfits and leaving the house with perfectly applied makeup. Duh. It feels awesome!

Here’s my fundamental question:

If you were to take it all away. How would you feel about yourself? 

When I discovered my answer, I ditched the makeup. 

It was about six months ago that I decided I wanted to try to go without makeup for a week. Makeup that’s truly natural and doesn’t have harmful ingredients is expensive. (I could write an entire post about how I felt when I first realized my face powder was made with an ingredient that was a known carcinogen) One week. Just to see what would happen. How would I feel? Would anyone notice? Would my skin clear up? Those questions were quickly answered. I felt not okay at all. I felt ugly in my own skin. I felt vulnerable and exposed. I felt like I wasn’t enough. That led to more questions, like “who am I to question what I look like?” I was given this body, this skin, yet I had the audacity to question it? To feel bad about it? I’m a naturalist, a gardener, a tree-hugging dirt-worshipper! (Old bumper sticker) I spend my days marveling at all the beauty on Earth. I advocate a connection with it. When I see an imperfect sunflower, tomato, or animal, I accept them as beautiful quirks in a perfect world! It’s not even a question! Where do I fit into this? How can I look to nature and everyone else in my life and accept them as they are without a second thought, yet be so unable to accept myself? Just because I wasn’t wearing makeup? 

I just wasn’t okay with that. 

Makeup was great, but I realized we needed to take a break. I made a deal with myself. It wasn’t going back on my face until I learned to love myself without it. 

I’m used to not wearing it now, and I even have “pretty” days. (C’mon, girls, you know what days I’m talking about.) I still can’t decide if I want to cover my greys and I do feel a bit insecure if I have to walk through a mall to get to my favorite store, but overall, I’m good with a dash of mascara and lip balm. I might even sneak in some powder and gold-dipped eye shadow if I’m feeling fancy. 

Obligatory makeup-less selfie:

Saturday Morning Poem

Do you see what I see

standing under the sky?

It’s underneath the bumblebee

that just passed you by.

It’s right above the London Rocket,

and nearly too small to see,

but there it is – I see it,

just above the Oak tree!

There’s a little verdin flying –

holding onto it fast

It’s on it that it’s riding –

as it swiftly graces past.

Perhaps it’s with the roses,

in the water on their leaves.

You can see it when it’s snowing,

or in the nests that sparrows weave.

It’s often found in earth –

as young roots search for life.

It’s there they’re given worth –

even when other’s give them strife.

Do you feel what I feel

standing under the sky?

Love is real –

It’s all around you –

Don’t let it pass you by. 

Cleaning with Intention

Call me crazy, but one of my favorite weekly activities is cleaning! There’s just nothing better than a fresh, clean house! One of the reasons I love it so much is because I don’t just scrub away dirt and grime, I rid every crook and cranny of negative, stale, or stagnant energy. Working with energy may seem eccentric or even crazy here in the United States, but it’s just another daily activity in many cultures around the world. It makes a huge difference! Most people that come to my home the first time comment on how relaxed they feel in my space. Regardless of your walk in life, giving your home a good energy scrubbing is great for your family and your health.

Fresh Air

This is one of the easiest ways to clean out stale energy. Open your windows and doors! Open up your home to all the wonder that’s right outside your door. With a window or door open, stand and close your eyes. Feel the room. Is there a breeze? Are there new smells? What do you notice? Eyes open or closed, imagine the fresh air coming into your home and flushing out the old air – the old energy. See it being replaced with energy. It’s helpful to give the new energy a color, perhaps a light blue or white. It’s up to you! There is no right or wrong way. Even on a hot Arizona day, I like to do this for a few minutes each week – or 24/7 during nice weather. 

The Lavender Treatment

What do you think of when you see or smell lavender? For me, it’s the ultimate calming scent. I associate lavender with calm, tranquility, and harmony. I have a little lavender vacuuming ritual that I like to do, but you can do it with any herb you connect with. First, I sprinkle lavender all over the carpeted surfaces in my home. (For an added bonus, you can mix your lavender with baking soda and lavender essential oil.) As I sprinkle the lavender, I smile, and imagine all the positive energy I’m spreading throughout my home. After letting all that good energy soak in for about 15-20 minutes, I vacuum it up –with intention! Intention is the key. As I push the vacuum along the floor, I imagine it pulling up all the negative, old energy from my carpet, leaving it clean and fresh. Lastly, I empty the vacuum outside! No room for that negative nonsense, dirt, and grime in my home!

Smudging with Sage

Using sage to cleanse space was first done by indigenous American Indians, who have performed the ritual for thousands of years. They believed that the smoke called upon the spirits of native plants to cast out negative energy and restore peace and positivity to a space.  The roots of the practice could go back to its ability to drive away pests. In fact, one of the popular life “hacks” I’ve been seeing around the internet is to throw sage in your campfire to keep your campsite free of bugs! To use this sacred ritual in your home, you’ll need a smudge stick (a tightly bound bundle of dried sage), a lighter, and a shell or other bowl-shaped object to catch the ash. After lighting the smudge stick, walk around your home and imagine the smoke purifying the air around you. I like to walk in every room and in every corner, saying a prayer to bring peace to my home and my family.

These are just a few of many methods that can be used to spiritually cleanse your home. Frankincense is another example that’s been used for thousands of years! Wishing you love, light, and positivity.  

5 Ways I Brought Happiness Into My Life

It’s sometimes hard for me to believe where I am today. I was once a very unhappy and cynical person. Today, I’m the complete opposite of the person I was five years ago. I’ve replaced judgment with compassion, negative thoughts with positive mantras, and a negative outlook on life with acceptance and optimism. I won’t lie, changing negative thought patterns can be a lot of work and a lot of conscious thinking, but it is possible. There is a happier way to live life. Here are five ways that I overcame negative thinking and brought positivity and happiness back into my life.

1. Gratitude

The first thing I do when I’m irritated, having a bad day, or just need a pick-me-up, is to pull out a piece of paper and a pen. Write down five things you are grateful for. It doesn’t matter how big or small they are. It can be anything from the coffee sitting on your desk to a family member you’re extra thankful for that day. What matters most is that you recognize what you have and you are thankful for it. Go through your list and reflect on each item. Imagine your life without it. How has it helped you? Why do you like it? What about it brings you happiness? After practice, gratitude will be second nature and gratitude is the foundation to happiness!

2. Meditate

Meditation has been shown to lower stress and induce calm. With time, mediation trains the mind to be less reactive to situations and thoughts, bringing a sense of calm into all areas of your life. Make time to meditate. It doesn’t matter if it’s for 5 minutes or an hour, what matters is that you begin. For tips on beginning a mediation practice, see my post here.

3. Nature

Another of my quick-fixes for a bad day is to spend time in nature. As creatures of the Earth, nature is our home! Just a few minutes in it can bring peacefulness back into your day. Try to eat lunch outside, go for a walk, or open up a window. When you’re outside, even if just walking to your car, notice the life around you. Another great exercise is to sit outside and immerse yourself into one natural thing. It could be a bee on a dandelion or the leaves dancing on a tree. Notice the bee. What shape are the leaves? Really notice, like you’re trying to memorize every aspect of that bit of Earth. Feel the calmness wash over you.

4. Adopt a Mantra

A mantra is a short word or phrase that is repeated to facilitate change. You want your mantra to empower you, move you, and encourage you to move forward with happiness in your life. Tape it to your computer, your bathroom mirror, or by a light switch. Say it every day, multiple times a day. Make it your reality! My favorite mantra is “I am actively becoming a better me!” I am, and so are you!

5. Find the Good in Everything and Everyone

Similar to naturally finding gratitude in your day, naturally finding the good in life can come from practice as well. When faced with a negative situation, find one good thing to accept and be happy for. When interacting with someone you may not particularly like, find one positive thing that’s wonderful and unique about them. These seemingly small thoughts pave the way to becoming a compassionate, non-judgmental person.

There are countless other ways to bring happiness into your life. These are just five ways I brought it into mine. Wishing you love and happiness.

Finding a Balance Between Technology, Nature, and Life

Technology is amazing and can benefit your life in multiple ways – I’ll be the first to admit it – but what do you do when you catch yourself obsessing over your phone or laptop? I've recently noticed a series of unhealthy patterns in my behavior that are leading me to make some changes in my life. For example, it’s difficult for me to sit and watch a movie or a television show without picking up my phone. When did I stop being able to enjoy a movie? My first thought when seeing a pretty flower is to take a picture, not enjoy it. Reading sessions are interrupted by phone-checking and walks outside “have” to go hand-in-hand with music or a podcast. I'm not alone. Various articles discussing the subject have popped up all over the internet. Guys, it's time for a change.

Last Sunday Matt and I went to the Riparian Wildlife Preserve in Gilbert. It’s one of my new favorite places to go as it’s completely free and a wonderful spot to bird watch! Normally, I’m identifying and documenting birds or taking pictures of beautiful things I see to share afterwards, but there was one point where I wasn't doing either, and it’s the part of the day I remember with the most clarity and enjoyment. We were sitting on the edge of the lake, and four geese came right up on shore. It was obvious that these geese were used to a human presence. There Matt and I sat and just watched the geese. Granted, I took a few pictures because I couldn't resist, but towards the end, it was simple observation and enjoyment for what was around me. I noticed how the goose’s bill was so strong – he/she was pulling up grass growing out of the water and devouring it. I noticed the orange around his eyes, the webbing on his feet, the way he was enjoying this Sunday as much as I. I noticed that his friend preferred the taste of dried grasses to fresh – and that he was clearly like “What the heck?!” when he realized all his buddies left him to go back in the water before swimming out to rejoin them. We were so still that a rat or rodent of some kind came up pretty close to Matt and just nibbled on something while we sat and watched. Plenty of us have thought "ugh!" at the mention of a rat, but how many of us have actually watched a rat in it's natural habitat, just living life? How many have taken the time to see it for what it is - a life? A life that can feel, walk, distinguish food from the inedible, sense danger and run. A being that can fear, breathe, and enjoy a moment. 

How many of these experiences had I missed in the past due to looking at my phone?

This afternoon, I came home to see that the finches finally found the food we had hidden away for them in a tree by our bedroom window. Yes – I took a picture, but then I sat. I sat and watched them eat, bicker, and play while I sipped my tea. I noticed the scent of the tea; I enjoyed it. I noticed that it was really a family of house finches. I saw the “dad” stand aside and let the young ones eat the feed. I saw another family on Earth, enjoying their day.

This is connecting with nature. This is what my life is about. These are the moments that make it so important that I put down my phone or log off the computer. My Facebook is currently deactivated, and no, it probably won’t stay that way, and I’ll continue to use the apps that make my life easier. I’ll continue to share pictures on Instagram because I do enjoy sharing beautiful things with others, but then I’m going to put down the phone. I’m going to live life through my own eyes – not the screen of my iPhone. I'm going to enjoy the moments in my life that I'm so blessed to have. 

Here are some things I want to do differently – feel free to share if you have any suggestions or tips you’d like to add!

1. Schedule a technology-free day/evening. No phones, no computer – just enjoy the moment.

2. Facebook Detox – It sounds silly, but it’s not! Many people are truly addicted to social media. Schedule a week-long “detox” to give yourself a break; you might be surprised what you realize!

3. Enjoy the world through your own eyes, not a camera lens. This one is going to be the hardest for me. I get really picture happy when I see pretty things! But you know what? I usually end up regretting it afterwards because I feel like I missed out! It’s been proven that our clearest memories are made when we aren't taking pictures!

4. No phones or computers during movies or TV shows. Isn't the enjoyment of one technology enough? Being on my phone at the same time means I’m not enjoying the movie or my phone, which is just wasted time.

5. Meditate. It’s just good for you! It trains your brain to slow down and enjoy the moment, which is what this post is all about!