Serenity in Nature

The sound of waves lapping against the sandy beach is the only noise for miles at night on this small island just off the North Carolina coast. A cool breeze caresses my skin and ruffles my hair, bringing with it the smell of the salty ocean. Gazing across the open sea I see the moon reflected, shining on its ripples as it hangs in the sky with the night stars - a sky far from the light pollution of our cities. This is serenity.

As the sun begins to rise on the horizon with its light comes a palette of gold, orange and pink painting the white clouds in the open blue sky. I felt its warmth as it traversed ever higher, the sand growing hot beneath my bare feet. Seeking respite, I walked down to the water's edge and submersed my ankles in the ocean, going deeper into the relatively quiet waters up to my shoulders. I close my eyes and pretend I am weightless, again welcoming the silence, the sound of the waves kissing the sand, the occasional croon of a seagull. This is serenity.

A different time, a different place. A small log cabin in the woods near the Blue Ridge mountains. A small, covered porch with wooden rocking chairs. The skies clouded over as the sun dipped behind the trees. Lightning flashed, illuminating the tree-tops and the cloudy sky, barely preceding the first rain drops. The first pitter patter of the rain made music on the tin roof accompanied by another flash and the boom of thunder. Moments later, the pitter patter became a symphony of torrential downpour. This is serenity.

The rain slowed to a stop, but the smell of wet grass and soil remained as droplets continued to slowly drip from the leaves and branches of the surrounding trees. As night began to press in, a chorus of crickets and frogs replaced the sounds of the rain. A cool, gentle breeze comes down from the mountains heralding the beginning of autumn, my favorite time of year when I love to see the leaves change beautiful colors. This is serenity.

Silence and an indescribable stillness on a cold, cloudy winter night. Snowflakes begin to fall on the open grass field, covering everything in view with a blanket of white. A doe makes her way slowly out from between the bare trees at the edge of the clearing, followed by her two children born that previous Spring. I watched from a window in the warmth of my cozy home while my tuxedo kitten purred in my arms and think of family and old friends. This is serenity.

Walking through the park on a cool morning in early spring, I marveled at the colors of the fresh blooms as though seeing them again for the first time. The smell of flowers and honeysuckle was in the air as I passed by a small pond where ducks quacked and geese loyally protected their nest and their mate. Squirrels ran across the green grass and scampered up trees as bees buzzed about their work. Small birds chirped as they flew and sat among the branches. This is serenity.

Among the activities and moments that can bring us peace and joy in this world of daily stresses, these are the kinds of things that bring me tranquility. Rated highly with some of my other favorite things like long, hot showers, or resting in a bath, reading a captivating book, or even listening to some good music - I find peace in observing and interacting with nature. I enjoy beauty of the oceans, forests, and mountains, as well as admire animals and the natural phenomena of weather.

This is serenity.