The Restorative Power of Nature

 

My new book, Double Protection Duty, comes out at the end of September. Part of the story takes place in Wind Caves National Park in South Dakota. Throughout my life, I have had a chance to visit almost all the national parks in the west as well as many state parks. I live in a place where a hike is a ten minute drive away and the town I live in has even incorporated trails within city limits. There are numerous city parks a short walk from my house. I feel like I have been given a gift to have such easy access to nature. 

Nothing calms my anxiety as well as a walk on a tree covered trail. To see the beauty of flowers in bloom makes me appreciate all that God creates. Spotting a red tailed hawk or seeing geese land on a pond lifts my spirits. 

I have experienced God's presence way more intensely while out in nature than in a church. I have had deep prayer time listening to a river flow or walking a trail. To me, there is restorative power in getting out in nature that I cannot find anywhere else. 

Sometimes just looking at the beauty of the petunias in my pot on my patio (say that fast five times) is enough for me to know that I am richly blessed and God has so many gifts waiting for me just out my door. I know dear reader that some of you live in cities that maybe were not planned with access to nature in mind or maybe your health makes a hike too big of a task, but think all of us in one way or another can find a way to enjoy nature in some form. How do you connect with nature? Camping? A garden? A climb up a mountain? Sitting on a porch and watching a storm  move in? Let me know in the comments and leave  your email address. I will be giving away five pre-release copies of Double Protection Duty which is part of the Dakota K-9 series. I hope you have a chance to get out today and see all the beauty God has gifted to us. 

I will be giving away more copies of Double Protection Duty and other books in my newsletter in the coming months. You can sign up to receive a copy at my website www.sharondunnbooks.net. 

Sharon Dunn