10 Jun Reflections on Wellness: How Nature and the Arts Help Us Be Present
In a world that moves at a relentless pace, both nature and the arts offer a rare invitation: to slow down, observe, and simply be. The steady hush of leaves in the wind, the ripple of water over stone, the chorus of crickets in a field, and birdsong at sunrise can act like a reset button for the mind. Similarly, the arts draw us gently into the present moment — a single brushstroke, the click of a camera, the pencil meeting paper. These simple, focused actions ground us, pulling us out of distraction and into clarity. In truth, the opportunity to reconnect with both the outer landscape and the inner self is never far away. You don’t need to be an expert or call yourself an “artist” to benefit — just someone willing to pay attention.
Lessons from Nature and the Arts
Nature and the arts move at their own pace, and they do not hurry.
Walk any trail throughout Hamilton County and you’ll notice it — the way sunlight filters through trees, how shadows shift with the wind, how everything unfolds in its own time. Art, too, asks us to slow down and notice. There’s no rushing a sketch or composing a melody. Creativity, like nature, thrives in stillness and unfolds in its own time. When we create or observe with care, we find moments of mindfulness — rare, restorative pockets of presence.
Nature and the arts make us stop and truly notice.
Both nature and the arts ask us to tune in, to observe details we usually overlook: the curve of a leaf, the hue of a cloud, the way emotions change with a color palette, the subtle rise and fall of a melody. In doing so, they heighten our senses. We become more aware not only of the world around us, but of our connection to it and to those around us.
Nature and the arts both offer hope.
You do not begin a painting without hope for it. Nature does not grow a tree without hope. Every creative act is, in some way, a vote of confidence in the future. And every season in nature reminds us that growth takes time — that beauty returns, and that renewal is always possible.
Nature and the arts speak in symbolism and signs.
Nature and the arts help us process, interpret, and find meaning. These experiences are unique for each person. A line of poetry may echo the shape of a river. A sculpture made from fallen branches might speak of resilience. A tree growing through stone may become a metaphor for our own quiet strength.Together, the natural world and creativity invite us to focus and thrive in the present moment. They teach us to pay attention — not just to what we see, but to what we feel. This spring, try going outside for a leisurely walk with a camera or a sketch book. Take your time on your walk, do not hurry, and spend time appreciating the beauty around you by taking photos, drawing, painting, or writing. Maybe try stepping outside with the art modality of your choice (pastels and paper, a string instrument, pencil and notebook, or any creative tools that peak your interest) and finding a comfortable seat. This could be in your garden, in a park, in the woods, the banks of the White River, or the balcony of your apartment. Allow yourself to freely create while in nature (freely write, draw, paint, improvise music, etc.), and while you do, ignite your five senses: truly notice what you see, smell, hear, taste, and feel.