An intense appreciation of nature is a gift that our parents gave Melinda, Annette and me. Dad always wanted to explain how a bluebonnet propagated, why the river would flow as it did, how a turkey roosts in a tree, the details of lily pads, the direction of the wind and the force of the water, the lifecycle of peach trees—from blossom to the first delicious and juicy bite right off of the tree.

Mom and Dad encouraged us to have pets and “notice nature” in that way, too: parakeets, cats, dogs, quail, ducks, horses, peacocks. As a little girl, I can recall sitting in a field with Dad and he would point out some small, yet significant piece of nature that he wanted me to notice. “Dianne, look at this,” he’d say as he was pointing to a petal of a flower or the stripes in the leaf of a plant. He often would talk about God as the Creator.

We were encouraged to enjoy nature, love our pets well and have fun outdoors—play in the rain, jump in a mud puddle, play in the river!

Photos taken in Seymour, Texas.

Mom and Dad’s grandkids have also been the recipients of the noticing-nature gift. Of course, there were times that we were not really interested in such details and would secretly wish Dad would get through the nature lesson more quickly! Now, of course, after Dad has passed away, any of us would love to linger and listen to just one more of Grandy’s nature lessons.

Roger and I find ourselves wanting to share this priceless legacy with Joy and Emilia, our granddaughters. I want to teach them about awe…and wonder…and nature…and worship.

Photos taken in Dallas, Texas.

We touch…and smell…and listen…lie on our backs and look at the stars…and watch the clouds make pictures…and hunt for bugs and butterflies…and fill our buckets with important treasures…like rocks and sticks and such.

Roger and I often find ourselves reaching up in heavenly praise as we are hiking…we just can’t help ourselves as we are trying to embrace the moment…of the beauty, of the sacredness, of the grandeur.

Photo taken of Roger at Crater Lake, Oregon.

How can we be open to learning about nature? The scientific method begins with observation. Looking through a magnifying glass is more than just “looking” … it can be using our senses, combining our base of knowledge and getting curious and asking questions.

A recent article in the Fort Worth Botanical Garden Newsletter proposes these three steps:

Step 1: I notice…

Consider using tools such as magnifying glasses or binoculars to expand what you can see, and use senses other than sight. What can you hear, feel, or smell?

Step 2: I wonder…

This step encourages children to ask questions about what they’ve observed, and the prompt “I wonder” invites them to imagine possibilities.

Step 3: It reminds me of…

This step helps kids make connections between what they’ve observed and what they already know. Reminders can be wide open and based on previous observations. A great observation is, “The veins on this leaf remind me of the palm of my hand.” Reminders can also draw upon experiences: “This leaf reminds me of the time we raked leaves last fall.” Or reminders can share knowledge or information you have: “This leaf reminds me of learning about how plants synthesize energy from sunlight.”

Not only as children, but as adults, how can we notice nature? The three steps above are wonderful doors to assist us in our ability to be mindful of nature around us.

Our access to nature may vary for each of us depending on our locale and living environments. Maybe you live on a lake and yet have become complacent about the majestic geese flying in each morning. Maybe you are in a high-rise apartment in a city and have to travel miles to get out of the concrete jungle. As with most things, the desire to notice nature and surround ourselves with nature must begin with intention…and then…and THEN, the wonder and awe can begin!

Could it be that you could buy an indoor plant or a fish or turtle to befriend you in your apartment? Could it be that your dog invites you into the journey of appreciating nature as you pay closer attention to her ears, the wag of her tail, the wisdom of her affection for you? Could it be that you seek out a walking trail near you with a babbling brook running alongside? Could it be that the expansiveness of the stars and the moon and the sun invite you to marvel at their steadfast and loyal magnificence for you?

Could it be that you begin to notice own body as a miraculous instrument of creation – yes, you are marvelous and your body is a miraculous work of art. Not only can we experience nature through our senses of taste, sight, touch, hearing and smell—what about being grateful that we can taste the deliciousness of a ripe, red watermelon on a hot summer day; that our eyes allow us to see the sun peeking over the horizon on a crisp, dewy morning; that we have touch to feel the soft, tender, velvety petal of a rose; that we can hear a red bird’s melodious morning song; and that we can smell the upbeat and cheerful citrus scent of an orange.

Because I am an avid photographer of nature, I am often in awe. Or is it that because I am an avid “noticer” of nature and often in awe, I am a photographer?

Taking and embracing a photographic image is a gratitude practice for me…a “Kodak moment” that I want to cherish for the day. We are so fortunate to often have our cell phones with us that we can honor the image of the ant crawling on the bark, the flower presenting its blossom first thing in the morning, the squirrel carefully hiding the nut, or the child reaching out to discover more of this beautiful world. (Image of the butterfly and girl’s hands)

Photo taken at Fort Worth Botanical Center, Fort Worth, Texas.

Have You Noticed…

by Roger C. Jones

Have you noticed…

Anger hinders critical thinking

Venomous comments don’t change minds

A hurting soul lingers underneath a mean person

Yesterday and tomorrow haunt the unfocused mind.

And…

Drab winter hydrangeas emerge in colorful spring splendor

Crisp wind enlivens the body and lifts the spirit

Nothing rivals a yellow, orange and red summer sunset

We view dreamy distant stars when we look up

Inspiring music mesmerizes the soul into melodic rapture

One thoughtful exchange can change the course of a life

Only intention and concentration permit us to really listen

Every day, kindness emerges in many ways

Every way, love becomes a little stronger and

You are distinctive and unique and precious.

May your September be full of times to notice, to wonder and to remind yourself of the connections in life.

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