Nature Observation + Creativity: Reconnecting
Nature observation and creativity have been linked throughout human history. Beethoven, Monet, Tang Yin, Sierra, Goethe, Whitman, Barrett-Browning, O’Keafe, Adams, Leopold, Thoreau, and countless others had their creativity ignited by getting out into Nature. Even the earliest art in the caves of France are poignant examples of Nature observation and creativity.
[Find our Nature Observation + Creativity training descriptions here.]
Has the modern world lost the connection between Nature observation and creativity? In the hustle and bustle modern-day world, it would seem so. Even as people try to get back into Nature with forest bathing, nurturing wildflowers, biophilia projects, wild crafting, and more, it may seem that the connection between nature observation and creativity is missing.
Our Disconnect Between Nature and Creativity
In the beginning, that was certainly the case at Spirit Tree Farms. It seemed that half of our lives were busy removing invasive plants and debris; planting wildflowers, trees for orchards, and gardens; setting up irrigation systems, doing prescribed burns, and more of the day-to-day tasks of managing even a small family-owned farm. While we did a lot of Nature observation, it was as if we looked at Nature only through the lens of being stewards of the property. Our motivation and purpose was we had to figure out how to take care of the land, and then we had to do what was needed.
Much of the other half of our lives were busy writing books, web content, blogs, social media, and poetry; doing art; and creating music. We felt as though it was our time to create, to send out messages of love, joy, insight, peace, and, yes, political insights.
But Nature Observation and Creativity were rarely connected.
Two Events Intertwined Nature Observation and Creativity For Us
Two major events changed how we at Spirit Tree Farms looked at Nature observation and creativity. First, Marnie got a nice camera for Christmas. For a while, she used it as a tool to capture and catalogue photos of birds, wildflowers, sunsets, water and light wave patterns, and other items in Nature. It was almost a scientific endeavor.
Then, one day, something clicked for her. She “heard” Nature. She felt Earth’s message: “Come to me. Work with me. I can heal you.” Excited by this new discovery and the feelings it prompted, she began studying others who were moved by Nature, notably John Muir, as well as the Celtic Christianity he was inspired by. She realized that Nature is a vital part of God’s broadcasting system, constantly sending humans messages of love, affirmation, cooperation, as it reveals again and again the Creator’s love for His children (US!), and the innerconnection we humans have with all of Creation.
A Book and Works Creatively Connected Our Nature Experiences
The second major event was the writing, editing, and publishing of Marnie’s book on finding peace through living in sacred Nature. The insights in this inspired writing recalibrated not only the mission of Spirit Tree Farms, but how David — a prolific creative writer who’d always prided himself on Nature observation skills — interacted with Nature.
From those two events, we both realized that part of Spirit Tree Farms mission HAD to connect Nature observation and creativity. We now know and understand that the messages Heavenly Father and Jesus are broadcasting through Nature are meant to uplift, reveal, motivate, and inspire, AND they are also ignite points for creativity.
How Do Nature Observation and Creativity Connect For You?
We were taught by Nature — by the Creator, through Nature — to recognize those messages. As we learned, we realized that the processes and results of Nature observation and creativity are different and unique for each individual. Van Gogh saw a starry night very differently than the Platters did. As unique humans, coming into Nature with our own perspectives, our individual nature observations and the resulting creations — in whatever forms and messages they may take — that come from those observations are not better or worse. They are just different.
Recently, we discussed what it is we are doing on this property. What is our objective, our “gift to the world? Does our mission statement resonate with you?
“We teach Nature observation so people can hear and feel and experience God’s love and messages in Nature. As they do, we show them, by example, how to let Nature inspire their own unique creativity.”
Mission Statement: What We Do At Spirit Tree Farms
Practical Exercises Helping You Link Nature Observation and Creativity
Whether through a meditative walk through our wildflower spiral, sitting in the Fairy Garden by the creek, being immersed in negative ions created by the Native American fishing weir, connecting with the Old Woman of The Woods giant oak tree, or any number of other activities, our courses and retreats will not only teach you Nature observation skills, but will open your creativity.
We want you to be inspired, to connect, see, and respond to Nature and in your life on deeper creative, emotional, and spiritual levels. Then, we encourage you to create. Whether it’s through painting, creative writing, playing music, improv speaking, or any one of dozens of other creative outlets, we all receive — and can pass on — divine messages when we connect with Nature. We all have that creative spark that can be ignited. But sometimes, we forget how.
Our purpose at Spirit Tree Farms is to remind you how to receive and connect with the messages Nature is broadcasting to you, and then help you share those messages. We want you, as an individual, to connect with Nature, to hear the messages Mother Earth is broadcasting, and then courageously create as you are inspired.
[Spirit Tree Farms Nature Observation + Creativity training descriptions are found here.]
Lessons Learned Today And For Forever
Nature observation and creativity can become life skills and a lifestyle change you take with you. Once experienced, you can always tap into it. Whether you are watching a sunset from a beach, a moonrise in the mountains, a butterfly pollinating wildflowers, hearing wind through leaves, tasting or smelling or feeling some new sensation deep in the wilderness, or looking at a flower blooming through cracks in the concrete sidewalk in Harlem, these new skills will be yours.
Let us at Spirit Tree Farms help you connect to your Nature observation and creativity gifts and skills.
[Learn about available Nature Observation + Creativity training and classes here.]
For more information on scheduled or custom-made group, team, corporate, or individual Nature Observation and Creativity classes, retreats, walks, and events, either at Spirit Tree Farms or your location, contact Marnie at Marnie@MARNIEKUHNS.COM or Dave at NaturesGuy@NaturesGuy.com, or schedule a free 20-minute consult with us here.