Getting Out Into Nature

One of my goals for 2012 is to get out into nature. I used to spend an inordinate amount of time outside. Most of my pre-graduate school jobs involved being outside.  And because I live where the weather is generally great year round, I spent my free time at the beach, swimming in the ocean, hiking, biking, etc. Once I started working in an office and became a mom, the amount of time I spend in the great outdoors has dwindled significantly,  which I've decided has had a negative impact on my overall health and happiness.  I'm much happier when I experience the natural world around me.

So to rectify this situation I decided that I need to schedule time each week to be in nature (and my garden doesn't count).  In February, I put on running shoes for the first time in THREE YEARS and went for a trail run.  To be honest, this wasn't entirely my idea.  My outdoor activity of choice typically has nothing to do with running.   I don't really enjoy running and I'm REALLY slow. Like your-grandma-could-beat-me slow and always-dead-last slow.  No joke.  But my little sister who is an ultra-marathon runner (I still wonder if we're actually related) decided that her bachelorette party would be based around a trail race.  Being the Matron-of-Honor I felt obligated to participate in the run. So off I went running into the woods on my first run in three years with the hope that my body has some muscle memory and that maybe this would be a good way to start working on this goal I'd set for myself. Amazingly enough I actually enjoyed the run. Maybe because I did more hiking than running and no doubt largely due to the breathtakingly gorgeous trail.  So this trail hiking/running thing has stuck. I'm not always excited about getting up at 8am on Saturday morning to run/hike, but I thank myself every week.

Also, I've also found that I'm not the only person who thinks that being in nature brings healing and happiness.  Since I created this goal for myself, I continue to come across books and articles discussing the subject.  One author recommended by my son's preschool teacher is Richard Louv.  I'm looking forward to reading a number of his books.

I've found this whole goal a fun adventure in many different ways and I'm loving where it's taking me.
Any goals that you are working on that have lead you on a fun adventure?