Let's Talk About the Outdoors

 This is Bell Let's Talk Day in Canada, an annual event meant to keep the conversation about mental health open and honest, without the stigmas of the past.This is the first Let's Talk Day of the pandemic, and we can hope the last. Even in a relatively privileged society such as ours we've come to realize that the prospect of a life-threatening illness with constantly changing messages about how not to contract it has taken its toll on our mental well-being. For a great many people being required to go to work, working from home, or the loss of income from job layoffs or shuttered businesses has been the source of tremendous anxiety and despair. Isolation has been a significant contributor to distress as well

There is no shortage of suggestions and encouragement regarding how we address our dis-ease during these unpredictable times, including getting outdoors. I will say immediately that this simply isn't an option for a lot of people for a variety of reasons including mobility, location, safety, and family circumstances. Still, nearly all creatures thrive with the opportunity to interact with the world beyond four walls, humans included. 

My own experience during these past ten months of the pandemic is that I've needed to be outside more than ever, even though I've loved the outdoors through most of my life. Last year we paddled on nearly 50 occasions, as well as walking and cycling often. Even on days we weren't motivated to get out, doing so was a tonic for body and soul. 

We chose locations for our activity which were as remote as possible, whenever possible, yet we often felt connected with God and the world around us which combated loneliness. There is the adage that "motion controls emotion" and I am convinced that its true.

Winter is more of a challenge for getting outside, and this month of January began with endless days of gloom. Yet once we were on the move we felt alive again and more hopeful. On a dreary day last week we walked along the water and spotted a snowy owl out on the ice. Suddenly it lifted off and glided toward us, stopping a few metres from shore. Scripture says that the Holy Spirit appeared above Jesus as a dove, but the Spirit came to us on the silent wings of that owl. 

Today we were our for ski down a farm road to a view of the Bay of Quinte. Yup, it was cold, and by the time we were finished we were breathing hard. We realize, though, that the torrent of difficult and discouraging news tightens our chests. Various forms of meditation and prayer focus on breath. It's almost impossible not to breath deeply, especially for a geezer like me!Being active compels us to breathe in the goodness of the world around us. 

If it's possible, nourish your mental and spiritual health outside. You won't regret it.