My Journey
My first true connection to nature began when i was five years old as my Grandmother cut a piece off of her grape leaf ivy plant and handed it to me to grow. The 6” stem with verdant leaves had no roots and I was instructed to put it in a glass of water to root it and then plant it. I can tell you that my shock (that my Grandmother cut a part off of her prized plant) quickly turned into a huge sense of responsibility - responsibility to care for something my Grandmother cared about so deeply- to keep alive this piece of nature. This was my first instance of being directly responsible for another living being, and this seemingly simple act on her part set me on my path of interconnection with nature.
My Grandmother was the most joyful version of Mother Nature and must have seen herself in me. She often took me into the forest, field, or meadow to JUST BE one with nature. How amazing to not think about time, goals or an outcome- to simply be together in natural environments and let things unfold as they may. These outings because they were calm, relaxed and nonjudgemental and open ended, became a profound anchor for my life- the building blocks of my personality and relationship with the natural world. I am beyond grateful to have lived the way of “forest therapy” since this very young age.
I went on to have a family and business and busy life. I first heard about “forest therapy” in 2018 when i read the book, “The Japanese art and science of Shinrin-Yoku FOREST BATHING how trees can help you find health and happiness.” by Dr. Qing LI Chairman of the Japanese society for Forest Medicine. Many concepts in this book rang true for me and my life and i was excited to learn more. In 2020 I discovered ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy) and was about to sign up for a class (in Japan) to be certified as a forest therapy guide when covid emerged and put an abrupt stop to that dream.
All good things in time! Presently, I am training with ANFT in the Sky of Clouds cohort to be certified as a guide and the timing is as it should be. The teachings of ANFT truly resonate with me and i am so hopeful that my unique connection to nature will help the people i guide and provide deep grounding experiences for them. I hope to see you on one of my guided experiences!