Driving through the mountains of West Virginia, I realize what a beautiful world we live in. Memories came flooding back to me from my first road trip away from home many years ago. It was Easter time and three girlfriends and I decided to drive from Michigan to Ft. Lauderdale for the holiday. We were just 18-years-old and none of us had ever been away from home. We were very excited and anticipation was high as we had been planning the trip for months before it finally arrived.

Imagine, here we were, four young women setting off on the first big adventure of their lives into worlds unknown. Everything we saw, through our fresh eyes, was absolutely beautiful and wondrous. Our route took us directly through the Smokie Mountains. As we reached the top, we got out of the car and climbed to the highest point. Standing in silence, gazing at the vast magnificence and majesty of God’s masterpiece, we realized that nothing else was as important as this moment, right here, right now. We were touched by the divine in such a way that the surface of our skins broke out in goosebumps. We felt the magic of what it means to “know” that all was right in our world.

Teachers and leaders throughout the years have encouraged us to get back to our center by taking some time in nature. There’s something transformative and peaceful that happens when you allow yourself to drink in the sights, sounds and feelings that are evoked in a natural setting. The rest of the world just slips away leaving only you in the moment… in awe, in appreciation and renewing connection with your inner essence.

At this moment, driving through the magnificent Allegheny Mountains, there is no sign of struggle and strife, no sign of anything other than divine alignment. Every tree, bush and blade of grass is expressing its nature and adding to the beautiful whole. There is an orchestrated flow that combines all the elements into a homogenous blend of such powerful vibrations that one cannot help being uplifted and inspired. Wayne Dyer defines “inspire” as being in-spirit. It makes sense to me. What is inspiration if not an uplifting of consciousness to higher thought realms? When you are in this in-spirit place, no disharmony can enter. The quickest way there is by tuning in with nature. Nature is the Universe’s way of reminding us that all is well in our world and of modeling for us that beauty in diversity.

People who spend time in nature come back refreshed, renewed and much more capable to handle the fast pace of everyday living. This is part of the Native American culture. They know that nature is their teacher and sustainer. One of their practices is the vision quest, wherein a person will go into nature with only water and will just stay in one spot for a period of time. They observe and pay attention to the sights and sounds of what’s going on around them. Nature, being the wonderful teacher that she is, has divine timing so insights come abundantly to those who are attentive.

Now, even though you may not have a week or two to do an actual vision quest, you can still receive great benefit by going into nature and letting yourself just be. There are many wonderful state parks all across our nation and some out of the way beautiful pristine spots tucked away here and there. Seek them out. You will find them, for once you have put the sincere intention forward, the universe will bring those experiences to you. It’s the law of attraction in action… ask and you shall receive.

I encourage everyone reading this to take some time this month to give yourself a present. Set an intention to be with mother nature and let her nurture and sustain you. The colors in Michigan at this time of year are radiantly beautiful as the trees offer up their leaves signaling the change of seasons. Nature sets us right again, helping us release anything that is not in harmony with our souls. Shakespeare said, “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”