  Spiritual
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Nature is all around us, but sometimes it feels like we, as people, are reluctant to enjoy it. Why do we exclude ourselves from the outside world? This week's Spiritual Newsletter is about the benefits of nature.
kittiara |
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As I write this week's newsletter, my sister is visiting from Holland. She's a city girl born and raised, just like I was before I moved here. The area I live in is surrounded by hills and woods, streams and waterfalls. It's not unusual to see a sheep wandering down the road, and the silence of the night is often broken by a couple of hooting owls. It's a stark contrast to city life. I remember the sounds of the city, with late night traffic, sirens, and people coming home from a night out at the weekend.
It's the start of sping and my sister, who loves sheep, was excited to see some lambs. Last week I'd arranged a visit with the owners of a nearby farm, who told us they already had a few lambs in the field, as well as some piglets and calves. Despite the not very Spring-like weather, we stopped by and had a great time. My usually immaculately dressed sister put on a pair of wellies and pranced through the mud, delighted by the curious lambs, and entertained by the army of chickens that followed us around everywhere we went. We even petted a couple of pigs, who really are lovely creatures and don't deserve the bad name they tend to have.
My sister is usually rather fussy about what she wears and how she looks. She loves to shop, loves her luxury items and loves her comfort. It was great to see her connect with the countryside, and it made me think about the way many of us live our lives. Millions of people live in cities, with not a lot of greenery around.
Most cities have a park or two, to escape from the greyness of the buildings, which helps. Is it enough, though? Are we losing our connection with nature? People get up in the morning and hop into the car to work. They get back when it's dark, or close to dark, and sit inside watching television, playing computer games or they browse the Internet. For many people, trips abroad consist of holiday resorts, beaches and other cities. Not many of us really break away into nature, partly because of the lack of convenience and for safety reasons.
I sometimes think that we're the only beings on the planet who choose to seperate ourselves from nature. It's like we built this mental wall against it, linking the world around us to danger and dirt. We call our cities civilisation, but is it really natural to lock ourselves away the way we do?
When I walk through the woods, I feel refreshed. It's as though I'm recharging an internal battery. When I sit on top of a hill, away from the noises of traffic, I feel peaceful and often inspired. I love listening to birdsong, and take great joy at the sight of squirrels climbing up a tree, or rabbits hopping through a field. Does it really matter that my boots get muddy? Mud can be removed, but that peaceful, refreshed feeling lasts throughout the day.
I believe that it's healthy to get out and about. The benefits go beyond physical wellbeing. I believe that we weren't meant to alienate ourselves the way that we have. Like all beings, we have a connection with the natural world, as is evident when we step outside of our bubble and explore.
I realise that when we live in the city, it's difficult to get out and about. And when we're on holiday, it's understandable to want as much comfort as possible. Still, I'd like to use this newsletter to encourage you to put on your walking boots and find some greenery. You never know, you might just find the inspiration for a wonderful piece of writing.
kittiara
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|  | Grace (E)
Nature is more than what it simply appears to be.
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| | | Courting (E)
Ever get the impression that while you were looking for something, it was looking for you?
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The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! 
monty31802 - A fine Newsletter, one comment: I have been chasing a dream for over 60 years not sure it is the right one but I think it is something we should do. Chase our dreams.
Thank you so much, Monty! To chase a dream for over 60 years, it must be very important to you. I do hope you'll never give up on it!
~~~
Zeke  - Envy has built up a pretty nasty reputation over the years, but some things we envy might be good if they motivate us positively. I know a fellow church member whose faith I envy. He has helped me many times.
Zeke
Zeke - that's a very good point. Thanks so much for reminding me of this!
~~~
peach - What a wonderful newsletter, I just subscribed. Your essay on envy was timely. I can never hear messages like this enough. It is easy to compare how I feel to how someone else looks and conclude I deserve what they have. I become restless, irritable, and discontent. The truth is I have been showered with prosperity. Certainly I possess everything I need to do what God would have me do. What more do I need than that?
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the newsletter. We all long for what other people have from time to time. It's a natural thing to experience. I may remind myself of what I wrote in my newsletter, but it certainly doesn't mean I am immune. 
~~~
The following comments arrived on my newsletter before last, with the topic of life after death. It would be a shame not to include them:
DLJones - In response to Victoria’s question in life after death. Honestly, could you believe there is not? Forty-five years ago I had the experience when I was electrocuted. I wrote a short story about it, I have it posted on this website. It is called, “ I want to tell you about someone I met when I died,” One thing I would like to stress, Victoria, is that you never die alone. There will always be someone, there, waiting for you Love, DLJones
Thank you so much for sharing! I will definitely look up your story, because it sounds very interesting.
~~~
embe - Life after death not for the unbelievers
being the atheists to talk about dying
is to argue that there is no God
that can ever save them
so why all the fuss -
It's our choice.
But when death slowly
wastes your body away
suddenly someone
to save me
they cry.
Who will come and pray
a prayer for us now
we don't know how
never tried
to believe
in God.
His mercy we have heard of
by the other patients
dying praising him
can't wait to die
rising up now
to my Savior.
Thank you so much for your newsletter.
embe
I couldn't resist including your poem. Thank you so much for sending it in!
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Spiritual Newsletter Team:
Sophurky  , northernwrites, kittiara
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Spiritual: March 31, 2010 Issue [#3639]
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