catnipoflife

There is an essence of energy in all life. Within the interconnectedness of all living things is a vital force or energy that permeates the natural world. If we turn the calendar back to examine indigenous cultures and ancient times, the belief existed that a universal life force or energy flows through all living beings and natural elements.

Nature is often considered a profound source of this life energy. The idea is that spending time in natural settings, such as forests, mountains, or near bodies of water, allows individuals to absorb and resonate with this vital force. There is a parallel to this idea within the Japanese culture with the practice of “forest bathing”, which is strongly linked to lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones. This shines a bright light on nature as being therapeutic and rejuvenating.

Nurture your spirit with time in the natural world. Nature is often depicted as being a calming place, building a sense of resilience, and providing a sense of hope. It is also a place of mystery, intrigue, and enchantment. Even on mornings that begin with dense fog and misty rain, there is a sense of mysticism and magic.

Misty Morning Fog*

Step outside on a foggy morning and you are standing in a low cloud settled in over the earth. The dense mist cloaks everything in sight with tiny water droplets. As ghostly apparitions appear, imagination follows. Dappled sunlight leaves you with a sense of mysticism.

Images appear subdued
Amidst the dense, pesky fog
Fondly kissed by stratus clouds
Disturbed by a croaking frog

Figures in the far distance
Emit varying shadowy hues
A tone so melancholy
Reminiscent of ol’ country blues

Uppermost mountain peaks
Obscured by the thick fog’s bed
Converge with sky’s splendor
Striking grey patterns overhead

Merely a touch of fog
Steamy haze in view
Evokes mystical thoughts
Chilling through ’n’ through

Silhouettes appear
Amid nature’s transformation|
Misty morning fog
Veils objects of fascination|

From the sky to the terrain
Scattering rays of sunlight drift
Semi-transparent colors emerge
As the fog doth slowly lift

“The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.”

 — Carl Sandburg (U.S. biographer, poet, 1878–1967)

*Catnip of Life, #1 Amazon Bestseller, March 2023 https://www.catnipoflife.info