Jasmine and Samuel watch a squirrel in the forest
We spend a lot of time as a family outdoors, we are very fortunate to have a forest right on our doorstep.
The forest has been especially beneficial to Jasmine of late….
My teenage daughter has had a lot to cope with recently which has effected her self-esteem and self-confidence.
Too Much Emphasis on How We Look
It’s horrible to think our society places such an emphasis on how we look – as if being a teenager wasn’t hard enough these days.
Nature can help…
For Jasmine, the forest is a place of tranquility and calmness. Where she can be herself, not worrying about friends, school work, homework, how she looks.
The forest is an adventure, not knowing what wildlife or surprise is around the corner. About a month ago we took a new route, a great mountain bike ride down some tricky slopes, wheels slipping on the tree roots and bouncing off rocks. It was exhilarating, the fresh air, the bird song. Your worries are cast aside as you take in all the beauty, the sounds, the smells.
We arrived at a small, boggy lake.
Jasmine was keen to explore. She took Sam by the hand and they climbed down the slippy bank to the very muddy edge. They dared each other to walk along a log that crossed part of the lake. Sam went first, picking up a long stick to help him balance.
Wobbling a bit he got across and cheered.
“Come on Jas, it’s easy” he declared.
Jasmine followed.
Sam offered his magic stick, Jasmine went to grab it and in doing so lost balance and fell in. Sam reached to pull her out of the thick pea soup bog but fell in too. They both burst into laughter, their infectious laughter echoed around the forest.
It was so wonderful to see my daughter so happy.
Wet and muddy (and smelly too) their father pulled them both out and squelched their way up to the bikes.
Every time we visit the forest we return happy, content and at peace, for a while….
The forest won’t make Jasmine’s problems disappear but it has the MAGIC to make her feel good-it makes her feel relaxed and HAPPY!
When my children are happy-I’m happy too!
We all need nature in our lives.
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Great article! My family and I also love to get out in nature. It’s good to get away and enjoy this wonderful creation.
This is a beautiful post, and it really resonates with me. When I was younger, I remember the forest/nature being a place where I could go to truly be myself. Pressures from school and teenage life (oh the joys) didn’t matter and I could feel myself expand a little bit. Sounds cheesy, but you probably know what I mean. The busy-ness of life seems to constrict us, but nature lets us in on how expansive we can really be. Thanks for sharing this
My place has always been the ocean. I’m glad your daughter found her inspiration outdoors. It saved me so many times.
Beautiful post! Nature has always brought me peace & I’m glad your kids have found that, too. The trees bring me calm when nothing else can. Nature is the gift your kids will be able to keep with them for the rest of their lives.
Isn’t it interesting that falling in, learning limitations, brought a release? Sometimes the worst that can happen turns out to be for the best! Thanks for sharing this. I love the forest