[Elizabeth]

Hi,
Elizabeth here,a little late in responding… I’ve appreciated others’ openness in sharing.

Nature connection is about connecting inner and outer self, an integration or blending with natural surroundings. It is an awareness of interconnection/interdependence between self and nature.

Nature connection is my support, my livelihood. Nature connection has from an early age, provided solace, re-grounding, direction, and inspiration. Understanding and making nature connections tells me where I fit in. Nature is a teacher and a guide. Much of my life has been dedicated to nature study and experience and sharing what I have learned and experienced with others.

I rely on nature connection to keep me grounded and aware, yet I am aware of a resistance to regular connection or ritual even though I have chosen to live in a place surrounded by open land and to work mostly outdoors. Examining this resistance, I realize it is linked to a kind of mistrust or disbelief, even I daresay, fear. The feelings of mistrust or fear are certainly related to past traumatic experiences. The feeling of disbelief comes with an ingrained tendency to lose myself in the day to day grind of doing what’s perceived as needed to ‘get by’. From this place, being in nature/nature connection is perceived as a luxury, something to do when there’s free time.

I will say that the last few weeks in this time of COVID and connecting with EBI have provided time and inspiration for reflecting and recalculating. What part of me know as ‘luxury’, a true voice tells me is vital and life-giving.