Grateful for Nature's Beauty

Day 30: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

I am so very grateful for the shear beauty of nature. This Earth has exquisitely beautiful landscapes, mountain ranges, waterways, open vistas, foliage, skies, and lifeforms.

I see so much splendor in the world around me. I see it in the silhouettes formed by hills and trees. I see it in the eyes of the people I meet. I see it in the whale as it leaps towards the sky. I see it in the Spring blossom as it awakes from it's winter cocoon and in the branches of a tree dancing with the wind.

There is always something in nature for me to ooh and ah about. It is a wondrous feast for my eyes. These natural delights are eye candy for my soul and a constant reminder or how good it is to be alive.

 "This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal sunset, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls."
—John Muir

"Nature's beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude."
—Louie Schwartzberg

Grateful for Jungles

Day 29: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

A jungle's dense vegetation is diverse, rich, and lush. Because of the abundance of plants and trees, jungles provide the planet with water through a high level of rainfall. They produce oxygen for the survival of all living things and absorb carbon dioxide. In essence, they help regulate the Earth's climate.

Grateful for a Pastoral Landscape

Day 28: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

There are many many exquisite places on Earth that take our breath away. They wow us and energize us.

But then there are those that are magnificent in an entirely different way. These peaceful settings are beautiful as well but fill us with a sense of calm. When standing before an expansive and pastoral landscape it feels as if we become one with our natural surroundings.

It is a "sense of place" that's so very comforting, invoking a feeling of belonging and timelessness.

During our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, I experienced just such a place. We were hiking at the Pololu Valley on the north coast of the island. Suddenly, an unexpected vista drew me in and touched my soul. I have carried that moment with me ever since.

Grateful for the Oceans

Day 27: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

Besides the exquisite beauty of the oceans, their depth and expansiveness is truly amazing. The oceans cover approximately 71% of the Earth's surface.

I know I already shared a post of gratitude for walks on the beach and love of having sand between my toes. I also focused on gratitude for the powerful crashing of the waves. Today I want to highlight the oceans themselves. 

The flow of ocean currents move warm and cold water to different parts of the planet, effecting climate and weather conditions. Currents help cool off hotter parts of the planet and add warmth to areas that would be uncomfortably cold. Without the benefit of this process of regulating planetary temperatures, there would be more areas with intense climates, difficult for humans to live.

Did you know...

• the average depth of the oceans is about 14,000 feet, equal to 40 football field.
• ocean plants provide half the oxygen in the atmosphere.
• the kelp forests grow up to 18 inches a day.
• about 95% of the oceans remain unexplored.
• 94% of life on Earth is in the sea.

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came." ~ John F. Kennedy

Grateful for Photosynthesis

Day 26: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

Photosynthesis is a wonder of nature and a miraculous process. Plants use the energy of the sun to make their own food for survival. And in the process, a livable balance is created between the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, so we can breath the air.

We need oxygen for survival and it's due to photosynthesis that oxygen exists in the atmosphere. Also, we can thank photosynthesis for reducing high levels of carbon dioxide along with harmful waste products that tend to cause respiratory difficulties.

So, we can say that plants and the process of photosynthesis is responsible for providing the primary source of life to all animals and humans.

To learn more about photosynthesis, click here.

Grateful for Walk in the Woods

Day 25: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

Hiking in the woods is one of the greatest activities. It's a perfect way to commune with nature. There's a sense of peace that can be found when surrounded by trees.

A walk in the woods is a feast for the senses. It's a beautiful environment in which to find an inner quiet while taking in the sights and sounds of the forest.

Grateful for Crashing Waves

Day 24: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

What can I say? I love the thrill of seeing the crashing of a large wave. And the best part is knowing that, with just a bit of patience, you are likely to see another one within a few minutes.

The combination of the sound of the crash, the ground seeming to vibrate under foot, the visual of the turbulent sea, and the feel of the salt water spray on your skin make it a dramatic experience to witness.

Grateful for Sea Creatures

Day 23: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

Sea creatures are some of natures greatest marvels. The shear variety of animals under the sea is quite remarkable. They come in a wide range of sizes, from plankton to whale, and a vast array of colors. And then there are some, like the sea turtle, who can spend their time under water and also make their way onto land to take an afternoon nap on the beach.

I was at the right place at the right time to watch this turtle as it traveled very slowly and with much determination up onto the sand. It would move onto shore a couple of inches and then close it's eyes and sleep for a bit. Then repeat that cycle over and over. I wasn't there long enough to see what happened when it decided to turn around and reverse the process.

Something about that turtle touched my heart. Maybe it was simply spending time just observing another creature in it's natural habitat that made me feel connected. Maybe it was watching the struggle and determination. I felt as if I got to know this turtle on a level that was not in an everyday way.

Aquariums give us the opportunity to view sea animals we would have little chance of seeing. But there's nothing like observing them where they live.

Snorkeling allows you to enter another world and commune, in some way, with the creatures surrounding you, in their home. It's quite an altering experience. Our world becomes bigger in the process and more diverse.

Whale watching is an exhilarating activity. Rather than entering their world, we seem to be stopping at the front door of the sea world and hoping the magnificent creatures are home. Every time we get a glimpse of whales and dolphins it's likely to trigger a burst of excitement. There's something about them that's not of our world... at least, not of our life on land. They are more elusive and extraordinary... and larger than life.

These animals of the sea are fascinating and somewhat mysterious. They live in what seems like another world. It just happens to exist side by side with the world we know.

Grateful for Shadows in the Snow

Day 22: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

Snow is an ideal blank canvas for the designs created by shadows. The contrast of light and dark becomes a mysterious set of patterns that can both catch our attention or fade into the landscape. It is up to each individual to notice its presence. I choose to catch the forms and contours of those shadows and enjoy the way both positive and negative space takes shape on what really is a white surface. There is something magical about this process and for that I am grateful.

Grateful for Sunrises and Sunsets

Day 21: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

There is an extraordinary WOW factor to witnessing the beauty of a sunrise or sunset. When the colors fill the sky with magnificent brilliance, they never fail to dazzle.

I have so much gratitude for the moments I have been blessed with the joy and delight of spectacular skies. How can a sky be so filled with the colors of a painter's palette? And isn't it amazing the way a magnificent sky can be so fleeting? It coats the sky with it's broad brush and then as if it never existed, suddenly disappears. But even after the colors fade, the experience lives on within us.

Grateful for Birds

Day 20: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

I often sit on our deck and listen to the sounds of bird calls coming from multiple directions. I love differentiating between the various songs, sounds, and patterns.

What a delight to be in a world where these amazing flying creatures dazzle in flight and serenade us in song!!

Grateful for Mountains

Day 19: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

Wherever I drive, my eyes are raised to the level of the highest land mass; the trees, the hills, the mountains... oh those mountains!! It's as if my eyes thirst for a mountain view.

I grew up on Long Island in New York where there are no mountains. Yet, I would imagine that the clouds in the distance were mountains far away.

I love the way mountains overpower the landscape and create beautiful silhouettes against the sky. Covered with trees. rocky slopes, steep and rugged terrain, they are a majestic presence in our world. And it is pretty spectacular to watch how the weather patterns change at the location of a mountain, with the clouds that hover above and the snow caps that form.

Grateful for Glaciers

Day 18: Thirty Days of Gratitude for the Earth

It is quite a spectacular sight to come upon a glacier. Years ago, I took a road trip to the Canadian Rockies with one of my oldest friends. As we traveled, we both screamed with excitement whenever a bend in the road opened up to a view of a glacier.

Glaciers are magnificent. Most importantly, they function as Earth's air conditioners. The presence of glacial ice around the globe helps to keep the Earth cool. Unfortunately, these moving fields of ice are melting at an alarming rate and the ice is receding rapidly. Ocean levels are rising and coastlines eroding,

Glaciers are also an important fresh water resource and help keep our ecosystem in balance... but as the ice melts it is merging with the salt water seas.

I am grateful for the remaining glaciers and the support they provide to all of us who live on this planet. It is in the interest of all nations to do what we can to preserve the Earth's cooling system.

For more on the subject, visit: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/big-thaw

Grateful for a Butterfly

Day 17: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

Butterflies are the flowers of the insect world. Their unique elegance catches our glance and we can't help but follow it's movements with our eyes. The varied colors and patterns of the butterfly wings along with it's fleeting presence, makes each encounter a delight to behold.

I am grateful for these flying beauties.

Grateful for Magical Forests

Day 16: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

What makes a forest seem magical? Maybe it's when you feel as if you have just walked into a storybook.

Recently, I stepped into that very type of setting. This forest was not only beautiful but it seemed to carry me away to another time and place and engaged my imagination. It was not an easy place to leave, even after plenty of time to explore. And it felt so wonderful being in that environment. I may have left the forest, yet the feeling of that place has remained with me.

Grateful for Light Streams

Day 15: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

A simple ray of light, streaming through a break in the leaves, can spark a sense of awe. And when those light rays branch out in many directions, carrying the colors of the rainbow, it feels like a blessing... as if it were placed there as a gift from heaven.

The interplay between light and dark occurs most powerfully in natural settings and sometimes only lasts for a moment. These moments are a gift for us to witness and enjoy. Then, I feel thankful to have caught a glimpse of something that appears mystical.

Grateful for Fresh Air

Day 14: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

It could be easy to take a simple thing like fresh air for granted. But the feeling of "ahhh" that comes over us when we experience a soft breeze can so easily evoke a sense of appreciation. The gift of being able to breath freely cannot be minimized. Every breath is a gift.

Grateful for History Stored in Layers of Rock

Day 13: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

It's so very cool that the layers of rock, embedded in the Earth, can tell a story of the history of our past. I love the way sediment deposits of sand and silt, form horizontal layers that harden into rocks over time. These rocks safeguard the fossil remains of once living organisms.

Year's ago, I went on a trip with the New York Paleontological Society. We spent the day fossil hunting at a quarry. It's quite exciting to crack open a rock and find the fossils hidden within. Rocks allow us a glimpse of the life forms who once walked, crawled, flew, and swam upon the Earth.

Recently, I went on a hike at a nearby river after a series of intense storms. Not only was I able to witness the destruction of the area hit by the overflowing river, but I was able to see the rock layers uncovered by the water's flow. It caused me to stop for a moment and take in the sight of our layered history.

When I find myself lucky enough to view the layers of Earth, as can easily be seen at the Grand Canyon, I feel as if I have journeyed back in time. I can almost touch the past, and time becomes an altered experience. I begin to think of what the world was like at the time of each layer. I wonder which layers faced an ice age or a major coating of volcanic dust? What caused the Earth to evolve during each period on view before me... and what new land masses were formed at that time?

I find it amazing, and a bit overwhelming, to think of the billions of years of Earth's history and all that is still to be uncovered within the protective layers of rock.

Grateful for Fall Colors

Day 12: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

I know it's Springtime but one of the things I am most grateful for in this Earth experience is the colors of the Fall.

With a love of color, it's quite exhilarating to have a time of year in which the landscape becomes a vibrant explosion of colors. What a thrill to have this occur each and every year!! I never tire of the delight in the wonder of nature's annual display.

Grateful for the Tenacity of Nature

Photo taken on the Kilauea Iki Crater Trail

Day 11: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

I am wowed by the tenacity of nature and it's ability to survive and thrive even in harsh and inhospitable environments.

The image above was taken during a walk through a volcanic crater. It felt as if we were walking on the surface of another planet. The black lava beneath our feet was formed in 1959 when an eruption created a lake of molten lava. As we walked on this uneven surface, we were surrounded by steam vents, cracks in the ground, and giant slabs of lava. Every once in awhile we came upon a display of plant life peeking through the cracks.

There is clearly a desire and strength for nature to survive. When you walk down a street or on a sidewalk, notice the growth that can be seen as it emerges through the cracks in the pavement.

When I visited Yellowstone National Park years ago, I marveled at the the lush new growth that was taking hold on the burned ground of a massive forest fire just 6 years earlier. Nature adapts to changing environments and seems to be programmed to survive.

It really is amazing to watch as new growth fights it's way back.

Grateful for Springtime Blossoms

Day 10: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth


Every year we get to delight in the visual display of colors that seem to burst forth out of nowhere and adorn trees and bushes.

How exhilarating to witness the splendor of these blossoms! It seems as if the trees have found a remarkable way of saying, "Yes, it was a long winter but have no fear, I am alive and well and awake now. You can see me making my comeback!"

These little beauties herald the Spring and assure us that the warmer weather is on the way and we can expect more sunshine and longer light-filled days.

I am grateful for the grace and elegance of Springtime blossoms and how decoratively they enrich the beauty of our home on Earth. 

Grateful for Spectacular Cliffs

Day 9: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

Here in California, we have spectacular views as you drive along the Pacific coast. The land meets the sea as the cliffs rise above the crashing waves. It is a magnificent sight.

Throughout the world, along the ocean coasts and major waterways, there are similarly breathtaking locations. What they all have in common is the ability to stop you in your tracks and cause you to hold your breath in awe.

There are so many sensationally beautiful sights throughout the globe. I chose to highlight just one of them today. We live on a magnificently beautiful planet.
 

Grateful for Natural Shade

Day 8: Thirty Days of Gratitude for the Earth

A canopy of trees is not only a beautiful thing to behold but offers protection from the heat and sun. The natural shade from trees:

• reduces the exposure to UV rays.
• provides comfort from summer heat and humidity.  
• can reduce the need for air conditioning in homes with adjacent trees. Lower use of air conditioners reduces carbon dioxide emissions.
• acts as a natural cooling system. The presence of trees in cities can reduce summer temperatures by providing coverage to pavement, streets and buildings. Of course, the larger the trees, the greater the cooling benefits.
• creates a protective shelter and habitat for other plants and animals.

I am lucky enough to live in an area where redwood trees grow and thrive. A canopy created by a cluster of redwood trees is magnificent. On a hot summer day, a walk through a forest of these massive trees is a wonderfully comfortable and cool place to be.

I am grateful for the shade and comfort provided by trees.

Grateful for the Fruits of the Earth

Day 7: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

I find it remarkable the way the earth provides everything we need for our survival. I am grateful for all the diverse assortment of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and grains, herbs and spices. These gifts of the earth nourish our bodies and sustain our lives.

“The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.”   ― Pope John Paul II

Grateful for the Earth's Breath

Day 6: Thirty Days of Gratitude for the Earth

Have you ever visited Yellowstone National Park or the grounds of an active volcano?

It is so cool to see the mist rising from the earth. I love watching the way it envelopes parts of the landscape and then dissipates. There is a movement, an ebb and flow appearing as if the earth is breathing. I find it mesmerizing to be able to view the volcanic mist as it escapes through steam vents in the ground and billows up in earthbound clouds. So mist-ical. So fascinating.

Grateful for the Beauty of a Flower

Day 5: Thirty Days of Gratitude for the Earth

There is something so beautiful about the delicacy and intricacy of an individual flower. Each one is a marvel of design, each petal a little gem. They delight the eye and add color to our world. We are blessed to be able to adorn our homes and gardens with these exquisite treasures.

"When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it,
it's your world for the moment." by Georgia O'Keefe

"To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palms of your hand and eternity in an hour."
by William Blake

I feel grateful to live in a world enriched by the beauty and colors of a flower. What a delight for our senses!

Grateful for Cloud Formations

Day 4: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

As kids, we had fun looking for familiar shapes and images in the clouds. It was a wonderful way to spend a summer afternoon. Clouds have a knack of capturing our imagination and stimulating creativity. What kid hasn't wondered what it would be like to sit on a cloud?

Now, as an adult I love looking at the bold and powerful formations that the atmosphere sculpts for us. When there are clouds present, the sky becomes a spectacle of moving forms. They are marvels of design, filling the space with positive and negative shapes. No two are the same and they continuously change from moment to moment.

Their fleeting shapes can be a lesson in impermanence. Like the clouds, everything in our lives constantly changes. We can choose to accept the flow of life's circumstances in order to experience greater happiness and reduced struggle.

Of course, besides their beauty, clouds are the delivery mechanism for rain and snow. Their presence effects the temperature, protecting us from heat and the rays of the sun.

I am grateful for the feeling of delight when the clouds put on one of their spectacular shows.

Grateful for a Walk on the Beach

Day 3: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

I am so very thankful to live near the coast and have the opportunity to walk barefoot in the sand during much of the year. I love walks on and near the shore. There is such a sense of peace in being there.

A walk on the beach is like going on a mini vacation. It feels as if the "to do" list has been left behind, along with any stress, concerns, and busy thoughts. Spending time at the shore must be one of the greatest tools for stress management. It's almost immediately refreshing.

For many of us, a seaside excursion can have a powerful impact on the way we feel; a sense of peace, an inner healing, and/or an experience of greater energy (as if a switch has been turned on). Why do we as humans feel such a strong connection to the ocean? Here are some thoughts I have on the subject:

• First of all, the ocean is so vast and much bigger than anything in our lives. When standing at the shore, it is impossible to truly see it in its entirety. We become a bit smaller in our minds and the ocean becomes awe inspiring.
• It is a multi-sensory experience with the sound of the waves, the smell of the sea air, the 360 degree visuals, the feel of the sand enveloping our feet with every step, and at times you can almost taste the salt in the spray of the mist in the air. This total process of immersion seems to transport you to another dimension, outside of your daily routine.
• As humans we live on land yet when we are born we are 78% water. So, do we feel at home by the shore? Is it like returning to our roots? 
• Or is our presence in the vicinity of the moving ocean a reminder of the movement of amniotic fluid that surrounded us before birth?

What would you add to this list?

Whatever the reasons for being so attracted to the ocean, I feel very thankful to have grown up on the East Coast of the U.S., not far from wide expansive beaches. And now I am thankful to live in California, on the West Coast, very close to a magnificent coastline. I never tire of strolls by the shore, walks on the beach, and any chance to view the crashing waves.

Grateful for Earth's Flowing Waters

Day 2: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

The Earth is loaded with streams, creeks, rivers, and waterfalls. The flowing waterways can be found throughout the world.

Who isn't stopped in their tracks at the sight of a waterfall? The steady stream is a marvel and the variations in size, location, and intensity make each one unique. What I have found, with every waterfall I've come across, is that they get more spectacular as you get closer.

I am truly a fan of all bodies of moving water as well. There's something quite exhilarating about sitting by a rippling creek, a flowing river, or a meandering stream.

I am grateful for every encounter I have had with some of Earth's many waterways.

A Month of Gratitude for the Earth

Photo Credit: Melissa Braun

Day 1: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

With Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, I decided to spend the entire month of April expressing gratitude for the planet we call home. To me, it makes sense to love and care for the only planet with the atmosphere and oxygen to meet the essential needs of life as we know it.

With the current assault on our home, I had to do my small part to promote an appreciation for the Earth. There appears to be a current willingness and effort to deny the need to caretake our air and our water... the building blocks of life. I see a determination to place big business above the basic needs of humankind.

I don't understand how the protection of our environment could possibly be a partisan issue. Why would we be comfortable with the effort to pour waste into our waterways and put carcinogens into the air? Why would anyone choose to take steps that would or could make our water undrinkable and our air filled with particles that cause suffering, disease, and death?

So, I am here to promote an appreciation for what we have on this planet. I love this amazingly beautiful Earth. I am wowed by the magnificence of nature, each and every day.

Throughout this month, I will be posting daily images of appreciation: "30 Days of Gratitude for Our Earth." The images will appear here, on the Gratitude Habit Facebook page, and on Pinterest.