“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.”
This quote is by John Muir, a naturalist and author who lived from 1838 to 1914. He advocated preserving natural wilderness and has been referred to as the father of the National Parks.
Muir’s quote resonates with me because it contains words that reflect those aspects of life that comprise our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being: beauty, playing, praying, healing, cheerfulness, strength, body, and soul. As Muir says, our connection to and spending time in nature can be a source of that well-being.
I definitely agree with Muir about the specialness and benefits of nature. Additional sources of our well-being are art, dance, music, and theater. They too add beauty, cheerfulness, and a sense of playfulness to our lives. At times they are also a source of healing, such as when a person is feeling down and the arts contribute to him or her feeling better. We can experience the benefits of the arts both when we attend performances or go to art fairs and museums where we take in the artistic talents of others and also when we do these activities ourselves. I have friends who have continued to play musical instruments they learned when they were young, as I do the piano. And sometimes people start learning to play musical instruments as adults just for the pleasure of doing so. This is true of dancing, drawing, painting, singing, and being involved in community theater too.
And then there are the special relationships we have – with our spouses or partners, our children, our grandchildren, our friends, and others. The quality time we spend with those we love certainly adds to beauty and cheer in our lives, and can also be a source of healing.
Muir also refers to giving strength to our bodies. We take care of our bodies by eating nutritious food, getting sufficient sleep, avoiding unhealthy substances, and doing some physical activity each day. Doing so not only benefits our physical health but also our mental and emotional health. As an older person, I recognize how fortunate I have been to have lived many years and to have had good health. It’s one of the many things for which I thank our Creator each day. I’m also aware that, because I am older, that will change at some point. So I do what I’m able to to be healthy, and I encourage those who are reading this post to also take care of their health.
Muir also refers to prayer. Having a quiet place and time for prayer each day is vital to our connection to our Creator. Saying prayers from time to time throughout each day as we go about our responsibilities also adds meaning to our lives. Prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for others, prayers for causes, prayers for our world and all the people and creatures with whom we share it.
Finally, Muir says nature may give strength to the soul. Definitely! And I would add that everything I’ve written about in this post nurtures our souls as well. Discern the gifts you’ve been given and let them be part of caring for your soul.