After the rush, rush, rush of the holidays it can be calming to spend some time in nature. Lately in Wisconsin it has been raining and then we have negative temperatures. Sometime between the rain and the deep freeze take some time to go outside and look for tracks in the snow. Notice how the ground feels. Is it slippery, crunchy, hard, are there puddles?

If there is snow, look for bunny hop tracks in the snow. Near our bird feeder we could see tiny tracks of different sized birds. There was a section near the side door with lots of tracks and an area of melted snow. That was where the birds took shelter in the rain and snowstorm. Where would you take shelter in a storm? Who would you want to be with in a storm.

Look at the snow drifts. They are not just white, they have some bluish-gray shadows. Can you try painting a snowdrift on paper? It is challenging. Notice how the colors outside change on a cloudy day vs a bright sunny day.

After spending time outside how do you feel? Do you feel calmer after spending time really noticing what is around you? Do you feel grateful for your shelter in the winter? Notice how your body feels when you go back inside.

Make time in your schedule to go outside and notice something about the environment around you. Try to leave some of your anxiety, worry, anger and need to rush through life outside. When you go back inside bring some of the calm of nature back with you.