Debbie Tuttle’s book, Wealthy in the Woods, connects the woods – nature – with wealth! She reminds us that there are many aspects of wealth beyond an accumulation of money – health, emotional and mental wellbeing, rich connections with others, for example.
Her book reminds us that nature is a great resource for connecting with other definitions of wealth.
Go outside!
My Dad used to tell my two sisters and me, “Go outside and get the stink blown off you!”
For me, that meant walking to the stream and discovering what pollywogs, frogs, crayfish and small fish were hanging out.
And riding my bike, feeling the wind and noticing the clouds.
Looking for what’s in bloom. Playing kickball in the street with other kids in the neighborhood.
And noticing that the moon was following me (in a good way) when I walked home from a friend’s house.
What memories do you cherish about playing outside as a kid?
Dad was an ecopsychologist
I learned about ecopsychology when I read Wealthy in the Woods. Ecopsychology merges ecology and psychology. It studies how nature enhances our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
When I was a kid, we had fewer electronic gadgets to play with. We listened to AM radio, vinyl records and enjoyed three channels on the TV – which turned off at midnight!
In this age of electronic play toys, my Dad’s advice seems even more relevant.
Dad clearly realized that outside playtime was important for our wellbeing.
And his! 🤣
Pets need nature!
The joy my animals find in nature is priceless; I see how good it is for them. I’d go even farther to say that they need to experience nature first hand to feel fulfilled. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Being able to see outside or even better, through an open, screened window or porch if they’re indoor animals, is good for them.
And they can connect us to nature
As an animal communicator, I see our pets as our immediate, personal connection to nature even when we’re not in the forest or on a trail somewhere.
I remember that humans aren’t the only species on the planet. As we see or touch our pets and they acknowledge us, we know we’re loved.
So it’s good for us to tune into their appreciation of nature. Even when the dogs are sniffing every single blade of grass!
When I walk with my dogs as a team, as a family, I feel the connection to nature even more clearly. When I watch my cats focus on what’s going on with the insect life in our backyard, I get out of my head and feel more grounded.
Forest Bathing
Have you heard the term coined by the Japanese forest service to express ecopsychology – forest bathing? Forest bathing encourages people to spend time in nature because it improves physical and mental health.
If you’ve meditated, you might think of it as moving meditation. We can feel calm, centered and grounded. Many times, we reawake to the goodness of life.
If you’re still not connecting to wealth in the woods
You can Forest Bathe even if you live in the city or suburbs. Notice plants, clouds, and the animals are around as you walk through your neighborhood. Don’t be conversing on your phone while you’re out. Just be outside with nature.
In case you forget Debbie’s advice, remember what my Dad, Irv said – “Go outside and get the stink blown off you!”
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