Reunion (noun) – the action of being brought together again as a unified whole’.
For all of us here, living at Londolozi, communion with nature has brought us into a deep reunion.
This post is not going to be a long one today. I simply wanted to tell you a short story and remind you that a change in perspective can bring powerful change in your life. And so, today’s story reminds us of a few things: To pause, to get down onto nature’s level, and to see the wonders of the world through a child’s eyes.
My story begins with my 3-year-old niece. She is obsessed with rainbows and, as such, finding things (toys, games, lego and flowers) that represent all the colours of the rainbow too. She is a bright, chatty little girl and has, I’m thankful to say as her nature-obsessed Aunt, adopted a love for nature and the outdoors too. Every day over the Christmas holiday we would take an afternoon walk to the stables to go and visit all the horses and feed them a bag full of carrots. On our short walk through the nature reserve where my parents live, we would pause often to look at something interesting on the ground or in a tree, but mostly to pick our daily bunch of wildflowers – you guessed it, in all the colours of the rainbow. We wouldn’t rest until we had the full rainbow represented in our fist-full of flowers. This daily ritual – beyond the precious time I spent with my niece each afternoon – taught me so many things about my own love of nature. But most of all, about how I could access new and exciting parts of it simply by seeing it through a little girl’s eyes.
A daily occurrence – my niece on the shoulders of my brother with her daily bounty tightly gripped in her little fist … always on the lookout for another beauty to add to her collection.
If you have ever taken a walk with a small child, you’ll know that for some of the time you’re trying to prevent boredom and meltdown. And so we, as adults, can tend to overcompensate with the stimuli. But, once you get into it, you’ll find that everything just becomes wonder-filled. Your vision changes from a general view, with the company of scattered thoughts to a microscopic noticing of the tiniest details and a deep sense of presence. Pointing out these small details brings such joy as your nature companion learns of things for the first time.
Everything from the beauty and mystery of a butterfly flitting around next to you to the silence as you stop to listen for a calling monkey or the chirping of a beautiful bird. And let’s not forget what fun it is to jump, with your whole heart, into a huge muddy puddle and feel that squelchy mud between your toes.
I found that these routine afternoon walks became anything but routine. They were extraordinary. They allowed me to look at that wilderness at a much deeper level. They reminded me about the wonder of collecting treasures from the earth. They heightened my senses and made me see, smell and feel in a completely new way.
Seeing nature through a child’s eyes reminded me of what fun it was to lie on our backs and find pictures in the clouds above us and how necessary it was to dive deep into my imagination again. It helped me to see that reuniting with nature can be done in such small and simple ways- by noticing what the grass feels like beneath your feet. By studying the veins on the underside of a leaf. By growing a pot of herbs on your kitchen counter. By stopping, even if only for a moment or two, to see the world through a child’s eyes and to understand the wisdom that they can teach us.
How will you reunite with nature today? What pictures do you see in the clouds above you? What wonder and beauty can you discover?
I hope nature gives you abundant blessings. And I hope that you have a small one in your life to remind you what bliss there is in reconnecting with your inner child.
Wonderful storie and what a precious little niece you have. There is nothing better than spending a few hours with a child outside. I was a day mother for 3 little girls and they all had beautiful personalities and were individually unique. The smallest one just wanted to play outside snd explore the sand, grass, insects. She would sit outside and watch the chickens, and their chicks. I had to catch a chick so she could hold it and kiss it. The shongalolo’s she picked up and put them down again so gently. The hoopoe hoopoe bird made a nest in my roof, we had to go and say hallo to hoopoe hoopoe a few times a day. She loved the rain, sun and clouds. We would lie on a blanket outside watching the clouds move. Children are precious, she also loved picking flowers and bringing them to me. Her laughter I will never forget, as she danced in the rain for me.
Dear Amanda thank you for the uplifting blog. The pictures are inspiring especially the butterfly it’s so beautiful
Amanda, I loved all the photos🤗
Amanda. your story about your niece reminded me of growing up and visiting the farming and ranching friends of my parents. Where I discovered my love and joy for nature and being connected to the land. The butterfly caught my eye with its many colors. Thanks!
So beautiful – so true!
A really nice blog Amanda. Children notice even the smallest thing that we, as adults, sometimes overlook. Sometimes I think we are too busy “living” and not taking time out to stop and smell the roses as it were. I, as an adult, do appreciate all the things that nature has to offer. I love to look up at the clouds – which people seldom do, or go out at night as look at the stars or moon. Your niece will likely grow up and follow in your footsteps. Thank you very much for sharing this story with us. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Amanda, finally a bit of time after Easter brunch and before my next drive, I was able to read your blog. You are so on target by stating that sometimes we need a jumpstart on seeing nature with fresh eyes by observing and listening to children who discover the wonders of nature in a fresh way. I find my senses have been enhanced to epic levels since I arrived in the bush, releasing a curiosity and greater appreciation for what exists around me. Thank you for the reminder to take a moment and experience once again that childhood bliss when finding a butterfly on a flower.
Just finished a week of family gathering with my tiny toddler grandson. Was such fun to spend time with him as he became fascinated by the wind rustling through the palm trees. Just mesmerized him completely! Love it!
Beautiful.
Too true Amanda, there is nothing like seeing life through the eyes of a child 🙏🏻💗💗. Not only their curiosity towards nature but the wonderful way they show kindness to anyone and their honest open opinions.
Sometimes children a refresher lesson of things we’ve forgotten. Thanks for the sweet reminder!
Absolutely beautiful post Amanda, and I’m tearing up just thinking about the wonderful moments of seeing things through the eyes of my two children Now that they are both away at college, we don’t get out in nature as much as we did when they were little. Interestingly enough, however, I continue to learn as much from them by seeing the world through their eyes. And while not so much about nature, the topics and insights are as astonishing, meaningful and beautiful! Thanks again, and many return blessings!
Amanda, Thanks for the great post! We will remember your suggestions when we have our next visit with our grandchildren!