MONDAY MOTIVATION MOMENT – How Being Present in Nature Helps Us Heal Through Tragedy

When we face tragedy, whether personal or collective, it often feels like a violent disruption—an uprooting of the life we know. But if we take a moment to observe the natural world, we see that tragedy is not the end, but part of a cycle. Nature experiences devastation in ways both large and small, yet it continuously finds ways to heal and regenerate. In these moments of despair, nature offers us a quiet but profound example of resilience and transformation.

Think of a forest fire. The flames, often started by lightning or extreme heat, rip through acres of trees, leaving a wasteland of ash and destruction. To us, it looks like devastation, an ending. But beneath the charred earth, something miraculous is happening. Fire clears away dead, overcrowded trees and enriches the soil, allowing new seeds to sprout. In time, the forest returns—different, but in some ways, healthier and more vibrant. The fire, though destructive, is also part of nature’s way of fostering renewal.

These tragedies in nature parallel our own experiences of hardship. When we lose a loved one, face a sudden change, or feel like life is collapsing around us, it’s easy to believe that nothing good could come from the pain. But like the forest fire, our personal tragedies also hold the potential for new growth, new beginnings, and eventually, new strength.

In our darkest moments, nature offers more than just inspiration—it offers healing. Spending time in natural spaces can be incredibly grounding when we are overwhelmed by sorrow. Research shows that being in nature lowers stress hormones, boosts the immune system, and calms the nervous system​. Whether it’s a walk through a quiet forest, sitting by a river, or simply feeling the wind on your face, nature has a way of soothing our minds and bodies when nothing else can. The beauty of a sunset or the stillness of a mountain range reminds us that the world is bigger than our struggles, and that life continues, even in the face of overwhelming loss.

And perhaps the greatest gift that nature gives us in times of tragedy is the invitation to be present. When our world feels shattered, our minds tend to spiral into an overwhelming array of “what ifs”—fears about the future or grief over what we’ve lost in the past. Nature, however, is always now. The trees sway in the wind, the waves crash on the shore, the birds sing their morning song—not in anticipation of the future or reflection on the past, but in the present moment, where life is unfolding exactly as it is.

In these moments, nature teaches us how to simply be. When you sit by a river or stand in the rain, you’re reminded of the here and now. You begin to feel the earth beneath your feet, the air moving around you, the life continuing all around despite the pain you may be feeling. This stillness creates a space for healing. By focusing on what’s happening in the moment—the rustling leaves, the coolness of the breeze, the steady flow of water—you anchor yourself in the present, and in doing so, you let go of the weight of the past and the fear of the future.

When we allow ourselves to fully immerse in nature’s rhythms, we begin to understand that our role is not to control everything, but to observe, to feel, and to experience. Nature’s processes unfold with or without our intervention, and in many ways, this is a liberating thought. We don’t have to have all the answers. We don’t have to fix everything or force a way forward. Sometimes, it’s enough just to be—to allow the natural world to remind us of its quiet constancy, even when our internal world is in turmoil.

In moments of tragedy, being present doesn’t mean ignoring the pain, but rather, allowing yourself to experience it fully, without letting it define you. When we connect with nature, we learn that pain, like everything else, is temporary. The seasons change, the tides rise and fall, the sun sets and rises again. Nature moves in cycles, and so do we. By observing these cycles, we are reminded that our suffering, too, will pass. And in that space of presence, healing begins.

The invitation today is to be present, both with nature and with yourself. Don’t rush the healing process. Don’t demand immediate answers. Simply sit with what is, and allow the quiet wisdom of the earth to guide you back to a place of peace. Because just like the earth, you are capable of rising through tragedy—stronger, more grounded, and more whole than before.

-Shay

Be the one who cares because there is no guarantee that anyone else will.