The other day, I noticed the tiniest little daffodil bud growing in my neighbor’s yard, and it gave me such joy because it means spring is coming. Then, earlier today I stopped working long enough to take this picture of an unknown-to-me bird who had landed on a new tree we had just planted. After a little research and a few texts with my birder friends, I found out he is a Black Phoebe; his song and coloring are beautiful to me!

I imagine our friends in New Zealand and Australia are seeing fall colors now, and I feel happy imagining the beauty they are experiencing.

Speaking of the beauty of the earth, March 27th is Earth Hour, a worldwide movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature. It originally started in Sydney, Australia and its purpose is to encourage individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour – from 8:30 to 9:30pm – at whatever time zone one lives in.

All of this has me thinking about our beautiful planet Earth and the many, many ways it contributes to my needs for beauty, magnificence, and life.

It has me thinking, too, of the things I have missed.

Because of Covid-19, I haven’t received a hug from anyone other than my wife for a year, I have had only rare and very small outside gatherings with friends, and I haven’t led even one in-person NVC training. Some of my dear family members have tested positive for COVID and have faired well. It has sometimes been scary and often nerve wracking.

A lot has happened in my life, and I am certain a lot has happened in yours too. Many things look different in 2021. And, many new traditions and habits have been developed.

And yet, the one constant for me has been nature and the many ways it nurtures me.

In this moment, I am bowing in appreciation for it, and I plan on participating in Earth Hour on March 27th, in addition to all the ways I already live in order to contribute to a healthy and vibrant planet.

May you have at least one moment today when you, too, are warmed by your environment.