Tag: nature

The Healing Power of Nature: How Spending Time in the Great Outdoors Can Benefit Your Soul

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Nature has always had a way of calming the mind and uplifting the spirit. Whether it’s the soothing sound of a babbling brook or the breathtaking beauty of a sunset, spending time in the great outdoors has a way of nourishing our souls in a way that few other things can. In fact, research has shown that spending time in nature can have a range of physical and mental health benefits, including improved mood, lower levels of stress and anxiety, and even increased creativity and focus. If you’re looking to nourish your soul and improve your overall well-being, here are just a few ways that spending time in nature can benefit you:

  1. Nature can reduce stress and anxiety. Many of us lead busy, hectic lives that leave little room for relaxation and mindfulness. It’s no wonder that so many of us struggle with stress and anxiety on a daily basis. But spending time in nature can be a powerful way to reduce these feelings of stress and anxiety. Research has shown that even just a few minutes spent in a green space can help to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as heart rate and blood pressure. What’s more, the act of simply being in nature – whether it’s hiking through the woods, swimming in a lake, or simply taking a leisurely walk through a park – can help to shift our focus from our worries and responsibilities, and allow us to relax and recharge.
  2. Nature can improve mood. If you’re feeling down or struggling with feelings of depression, spending time in nature can be a simple but powerful way to lift your spirits. Research has shown that exposure to natural light and outdoor environments can help to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. In fact, one study found that just 20 minutes spent in a green space was enough to significantly improve mood and self-esteem. So next time you’re feeling down, try taking a walk in a nearby park or nature reserve – it just might do the trick!
  3. Nature can boost creativity and focus. If you’re looking to get your creative juices flowing, spending time in nature may be just what you need. Research has shown that exposure to natural environments can help to improve creativity and problem-solving skills. In one study, participants who spent time in a natural setting performed 50% better on a test of creative problem-solving compared to those who spent time in an urban setting. What’s more, being in nature can help to improve focus and attention, making it an ideal place to work on tasks that require deep concentration.
  4. Nature can enhance physical health. In addition to the mental health benefits of spending time in nature, there are also a number of physical health benefits to consider. Being active in nature – whether it’s hiking, running, or simply walking – can help to improve cardiovascular health and increase muscle strength. What’s more, spending time in nature can also help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. So next time you’re looking for a way to improve your physical health, consider heading outside for a nature-based workout.
  5. Nature can deepen our sense of connection and purpose. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from ourselves and from the world around us. Spending time in nature can help to restore that sense of connection and purpose, reminding us of our place in the world and the interconnectedness of all living things. Whether it’s the beauty of a sunset, the majesty of a mountain, or the simple pleasures of a wildflower meadow, nature has a way of reminding us of the things that truly matter and helping us to find meaning and purpose in our lives.” Spending time in nature can help us to feel more grounded and connected, and can provide a sense of perspective that can be hard to find in our daily lives. So if you’re looking to nourish your soul and find a sense of purpose, consider spending more time in nature – it just might be the perfect remedy.
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The Power Of February

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Many people think that when January is gone, there goes the new year resolution for another year… but this is not the case.

Studies have shown that decisions made in February are the ones that last for the rest of the year.

Maybe its the long stretch in the evenings or the brighter mornings.

We all have unlimited potential within, but if you don’t have goal-directed people around you, you will not get very far.

People that encourage you, people that want to listen, people that want to hear your opinion.

Make 2019 the year that counts, the year that you can look back on and say, that was the year that changed everything.

Work on your faith daily, even if its only a short prayer. Take regular walks in nature and feel the wind in your hair. Connecting with nature can help in so many ways, relieves anxiety, depression and helps your fitness too.

One of my favourite quotes is, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”

Make some decisions of faith this week, park the car 10 minutes away from the office or take a walk to the corner shop.

Stick a sticky note on your laptop or back of door, somewhere you will see it often— of the person you want to be.

Say a short prayer, “thank you Lord for all the small things that I take for granted.” Often throughout the day.

Fulfilling your divine destiny is a marathon, not a race. It’s many small steps that over time will get you to your destination.

I believe in you. Take a step of faith today.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy your week.
Rev J Martin

Live a Life Without Fear – Take a Step of Faith Today

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Fear can take many forms. Fear to you could be a natural disaster or an economic collapse, something significant that will affect your life and those around you.

But fear to some can be as severe as unable to be alone or afraid of people; unable to fit in with others.

It’s very easy to imagine how fear can mould and shape lives.

What most people do to overcome their fears is to avoid the situation that causes the fear. This method can be effective but doesn’t solve the problem. In effect, all it does is make your world smaller.

When fear is limiting your life, you must face it.

At first, this can seem daunting, maybe even causing anxiety, but this is where faith comes in.

Personal Fears

When I was younger, I was bullied at my part-time job. Then, one day on the way to work I got a mild panic attack. The next weekend I phoned in sick and told my doctor what was going on, and she wrote work-related stress on the sick note, telling me it was something I had to face. I agreed.

However, the thought that I had to face management to discuss the matter just escalated my anxiety, so I didn’t go back.

I didn’t go near the area of town where I worked as I feared meeting the people that I worked with, I didn’t want to explain to them why I left.; I felt that I was somehow responsible for the abuse. Bullying affects everyone differently.

Many other personal problems hit me around the same time, so I decided to go to see a counsellor.

As we got into conversation, he spoke about reading the Bible 2-3 times a year; he talked about it with so much passion that I started to read it myself. And the more I read, the more my faith grew within. Knowing that God is with us at all times helped me to surrender to His will.

I realised that I had let fear escalate the problem. By avoiding the part of town I used to work I was giving fear control of my life.

When I started to return to the places I used to go many of the people that I worked with didn’t even recognise me, others just said hi. Fear had built up a story that was not close to reality.

Fear makes problems more significant than they are.

Love vibration

Faith and fear are simply vibrations. One has positive energy the other negative.

When a lot of negative things happen, it is easy to get into a negative vibration, and it may seem like you will never get out, but when you work on your faith daily, it will give you the ability to change a negative vibration to a positive one.

Faith is simple, yet we like to make it complicated.

Now I’m not saying that it is simple to make prayer and devotion a part of your day, but if you can make it a habit, then you will see massive results.

Ask God to give you the desire and discipline to spend time with Him each day.

A simple practice that has worked well for me during busy times is to take 30-60seconds during the day. Close your eyes for 30-60seconds now. Listen to the world around you and feel the presence of God.

This practice sounds almost too simple to have an impact, but do it often, and within a short time you will see and feel the difference in your life.

I wish you a stress-free week. Take a step of faith today.

Free Promo

My new book, Live a Life Without Fear, is currently on free promotion on Amazon, if you could download and leave me some feedback it would be very much appreciated. Click on the image below.

Thanks for your time.
Rev J Martin

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The Best Way To Pray

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When Brother Bruno was at prayer one night, he was disturbed by the croaking of a bullfrog. He tried to ignore the croaking, but all his attempts were unsuccessful. So he shouted from his window, “Quiet! I’m trying to pray.”

And since Bruno was a saint his command was instantly obeyed. Every living creäture within earshot held its voice to create a silence that would be favourable to prayer.

But now another sound intruded on Bruno’s worship- an inner voice that said, “Maybe God is as pleased with the croaking of that frog as with your prayers.”

“Nonsense,” was Bruno’s response “how could God like that sound?” But the voice refused to give up: “Why then do you think God invented that sound?”

The voice unsettled Bruno, so he decided to do some research. He called out once again from his window but this time giving the order, “Sing!”

SILENCE

The bullfrog started croaking at once; with all the other frogs in the vicinity as a backing group. But as Bruno listened this time he discovered that, if he stopped resisting them, they enriched the silence of the night.

With that discovery, Bruno’s heart became harmonious with the universe and, for the first time in his life he understood what it meant to pray.

Praying is so much more than chanting or a series of words., no matter how profound the words may be. Praying is about paying attention to the world we’re living in, its about paying attention to the presence and power of creation.

The sound of the birds singing at dusk, a flowing stream, or the rustling of the trees in the wind.

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Every sight and sound, whether it be a bird singing, the sound of water, or in Brother Bruno’s experience, a bullfrog, can help us to understand if we pay attention, the precious value of everything in creation.

So this week, take a moment each day to stop and listen to the world around you. Listen to all the sounds that God created, and be thankful.

And the more you listen, the more calmness and certainty will enter your life. And the more that calmness and certainty enters your life the quicker your fears and worries will fade away.

It’s not that they magically disappear, but they no longer have the same power over you.

Each of us has a spiritual journey, but on that journey fear worry and doubt are all dead ends.

Get yourself on the road of acceptance, get yourself on the road of awareness, get yourself on the road of faith. Be happier, healthier and more fulfilled.

Thanks for reading and have a good week.