When Thoughts Race, Ride: Finding Calm in the Chaos Through Nature
Nature is calling, are you willing to answer its call to face your true self?
It is often said that when the mind is stuck, move your body. The overthinker that I am, I keep ruminating on future outcomes. Sometimes a thought is stuck in a loop. It causes my heart to race and my palms to sweat. My mind desperately needs an escape. And therefore, to escape into a safe haven, I go cycling over the weekend.
The photo that you see at the start of this article is from one of my weekend cycling sessions. I like capturing the utterly calming moments of nature. Of how if you closely listen, you can hear the birds responding to your questions. How the wind becomes a blanket of hope to your failed aspirations.
In a world where everyone wants to be heard and no one listens, nature can be your best friend. If you just open your mind and observe your surroundings, nature has countless lessons to teach you if you pay attention.
Nature Doesn’t Judge
Your mistakes, your grudges. Your unkind thoughts or emotions. Your desire for vengeance or intentional ignorance, nature will never judge. It will accept you the way you are. It will give you the answers you’re looking for without uttering a word. In that moment of silence, it will reveal the truth you so want to stay hidden.
Nature Heals
After riding several kilometers, when my heart is racing and I am sweating profusely, the cool winds soothe the rough edges of my soul. There are moments when my body is enjoying the release of happy hormones and I find myself crying. It’s like a free therapy session where you are given the space to reveal your emotions and finally set it free into the arms of nature. It’s as if you can finally drop the weight from your shoulder and stop hiding your true feelings, as there is no one but you and your feelings to deal with. Yes, nature is present, but it doesn’t make its presence felt. It’s like a shadow that follows you around while you do all the retrospection of what is bothering you.
Nature Provides
Sometimes, you give so much of your time and effort to others, that your tank of self-love is empty. Nature refills that tank immediately. It provides you that much needed me time where you can absolutely enjoy your own company without having to pay attention to anyone’s needs. As I pedal away and let the wind wash away my troubles, nature fills me with the love I give so freely to others. Nature is selfless. And to truly reward its existence, it’s our duty to go and spend time with it.
Don’t take nature and its surroundings for granted. You may see that small patch of green like it’s meant to be. But find your excuse to go spend some time with it. Go cycling, running or walking. Make yourself a priority and delay your plans to spend a few moments of silence. Nature is always waiting for you to share your life stories with it. The question is, are you willing to face your true self amidst the chaos of life?
Dear Suma Narayan, thank you so much for motivating me to start writing again.
Thank you so much for your time!
