Nature Challenge: Week 1

Day 7: Walk under the trees

Our Backyard

Tuesday, September 13

Lesson: The point of this challenge is not to go far but to put my body in touch with nature. 

Day 6: (none)

Monday, September 12

Same question as yesterday. 

Day 5: (none)

Sunday, September 11

Ok readers, please comment... I didn't complete the challenge today. What should I do to make up for it? 

Lesson: This is a "challenge" for a reason. 

Day 4: Toes in the sand

Kaimana Beach

Saturday, September 10

Lesson: Sometimes even Hawaii has beautiful sunsets. 

Day 3: Walk under the trees

Kaau Crater Trail Head

Friday, September 9

Lessons Learned/Remembered: The blossoming forest is so fresh, cool, and fragrant. 

Day 2: Toes in the sand 

Quick stop at Paiko Beach in Hawaii Kai

Thursday, September 8

Lessons Learned/Remembered: Stopping to the beach in between meetings is not as hard as I imagine. 

Day 1 : Toes in the sand 

Sunset at Kaimana Beach

Wednesday, September 7

Lesson Learned/Remembered: People love Bowie, even when he pees on their slippers. 

30-Day Challenge: One-a-day Nature

My friend Darcie mentioned to me that a doctor had recommended that she get a daily dose of nature. He defined that in three ways, 1) putting her feet on the ground--on the dirt, grass or sand, 2) walking under trees, 3) putting her head under water. My life is very sanitized from nature--I wear shoes when I walk outside, and I sit in my metal box on wheels to get around. These three actions are ways for me to have a tactile connection with nature each day.

I thought it sounded glorious. Living in Hawaii, I knew that doing one of these each day was a way to better appreciate that I live in one of the most beautiful places on this planet. Furthermore, after attending the IUCN, a repeated concept was that the best way for us to conserve nature is to be out in nature, which means I could be better at my job by taking the time to do this.

So for the next 30-days I will put my toes in the sand (while grass and dirt are cool, I want to get to the beach), walk under the trees, and put my head underwater.

Here is a fun video that supports this challenge. (I heard the creator/director of this video speak at the IUCN.)