If there is one piece of advice I could give
everyone it would be to stay connected with your true self. Take time to turn
off all electronics and remove yourself from the world of social media. I know,
me writing this is kind of an oxymoron . . . but I’m telling you this because
it works. These past few days in Naini Tal have truly opened the door to my
spiritual side—a side of me that has been neglected the majority of my life. I
have sat on my patio for hours and watched as the sun began to set and the daytime
critters go into hiding while the nighttime critters make their prowl. I have
taken mindful walks to truly engage with my surroundings. Just this afternoon I
found a trail that lead to the woods and it was one of my favorite walks yet. I
came across a beautiful fountain. Tiny birds were dancing around the tree
branches and flittering about in the water. I spent a few juicy minutes soaking
every sight and sound in. There were chirps from I presume to be cicadas and
different tweets and hums from the birds. The babbling of the water hitting the
stone from its fountain spout. The fountain spout was a bronzish color and in
the shape of a cat head. There were different shades of green from the trees
and brushes and a beautiful sun beam piercing its way through the tree tops. I
decided to continue on the path and much to my surprise, and also poor mister
lizard’s, I had startled a komodo dragon who was pleasantly sunbathing on a
rock in the path. My presence was unwelcome and he quickly tour through the bushes
to safety. After a few moments of laughter and apologies, I continued my walk.
This path was ridden with butterflies. They ranged from different shades of
ash, brown, white, and blue. Some had small spots on their wings and others had
stripes. They were all equally beautiful and graceful. As I paused in my stroll
to look at what was around me, I saw a tiny little peach tree. The poor thing
had about as many branches and leaves as Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree, but it
was still producing fruit. I believe I counted 4 peaches on the branches. Lucky
for the peaches a rope of barbed wire kept them from my grasp. I walked on this
path until I spotted another house. In order to respect their property and
privacy, I decided it was best to turn around. On my walk back I noticed things
I hadn’t before. Little coves in the hill which I imagined animals had made
into quite cozy homes. Intricate spider webs with the artist sitting proudly in
the middle displaying their colorful and creepy bodies. A tiny little inchworm
hanging from a tree branch that I helped make it to the ground safely. But best
of all, I found my spot. Back by the fountain there is a little space that the
sun hits just enough to be pleasant and the trees cover just to provide enough
shade. There is a small gathering of water that is home to several tadpoles.
And it all looks over the mountains. While I have a mere five to six days left here
in Naini Tal, I have decided to make a point to visit that spot once daily. It
is where I will find my connection with self and be able to process what I have
learned throughout the day.
At first I was disappointed that I didn’t take my
phone with me on the walk as I didn’t have a device to take pictures, but the
more thought I have put in to it, the more I have decided that it was a
blessing. Without my mind being focused on taking pictures I was able to truly
see what was around me and appreciate its beauty. So please, give yourself just
a simple five minutes with just nature and yourself at least once a week. I promise
it will make a difference.