Why Document What We Experience?

Brain scientists have long taught that, if we document what we experience, we’ll retain more of it. Originally, that was part of the reason that we at Spirit Tree Farms issued our #FindNatureJoy challenge: To encourage us all to document — whether in word, photos, drawing, music or some other form — the joy we find daily in nature.

Last night, during Bible study, we were talking about this principle, and I realized there are many other reasons as well. In fact, in the past I’ve written about why we should document what we experience. Here are some thoughts:

• “The more we see, the more we see, see?” This is my classic favorite: I wrote a haiku about observationalism and writing nearly a decade ago!
• The more we sense, our senses seem to open up to give us even more experiences (another haiku)
• Gratitude plays a part. It seems that Heavenly Father shows us more, lets us experience more, when we recognize Him and His Son and are grateful
• Clearing away the garbage lets us see true beauty and what’s really important
• As we document what we experience, hidden things that were there all along are revealed (as in the Old Testament’s Prayer of Jabez, our “Coasts are Uncovered“, even if we just get to see more pawpaw trees!)

I’ve had terrible eyesight since I was a child. Yet, as I participate in this #FindNatureJoy challenge, it seems that all of my senses are improving. I’m seeing beauty in Nature I would have passed by before.

At Spirit Tree Farms, we encourage you to take the challenge, to post thoughts or photos or music or anything about how you find nature joy. And we’re excited about what you’ll share with us.

Why? Because this principle is also true (although I haven’t written about it yet!) When we share our observations with others, we encourage them to share, AND we learn from them different ways to see the world … and learn new truths in the process!

Join us in the Spirit Tree Farms #FindNatureJoy challenge, and Spirit Tree Farms on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn to see what we — and others like you — are discovering in nature!