Being in nature, I have found a beautiful, awe-inspiring sanctuary to sit with my own loneliness-melancholy—a deep, layered feeling that I’ve come to call solisorrow . For much of my life, I ran from the discomfort of this feeling, but in nature, I’ve come to experience the gift of being alone, allowing myself to feel the full depth of solisorrow and hear its quiet messages. Surrounded by the wisdom of the natural world, I can sit with this feeling—this blend of solitude and sorrow—in a way that feels grounding, expansive, and healing.

Have you ever felt a deeper sense of calm after a walk in the forest, a sense of grounding after breathing in that earthy scent? There’s real science behind it: soil microbes are quietly working to boost your mood, support your immune system, and nurture your inner calm.

Over the past eight months, I’ve wandered through trails—some familiar, some hidden—between Pescadero and Pacifica. I have been led by my heart to places where I feel deeply at home, eventually guiding me to my favorite beach, a stretch of coast where I now spend hours journaling with watercolors and tending to the land as part of my journey as a nature journaling educator.

Rooted in Nature: What We Can Learn from Eucalyptus and Redwoods

A short reflection on how meditation may support brain health, slow cognitive decline, and help us build more empathy in daily life.

Overworking not only causes pain within our bodies (myofascial restrictions/fascial dehydration) but also impacts our ability to think with clarity and creativity. Get outside and immerse yourself in nature's beauty daily. You will experience more clarity and increased creativity, therefore becoming more productive as you feel better all over! For more information, check out this article.

I just was talking to a friend about sleep and he was sharing how since he is so busy with work and has a young family that he experiences the phenomenon of sleep procrastination. I had never heard that term before, but when my kids were little I can recall staying up til 3 am just to have some adult private time (in addition to couple time). Do we just go through cycles in life or can we actually infuse these cycles with a gentle awareness of other skillful actions? How would young parent solve this problem? We used to live in community where we literally co-raised our children, ie. the "villiage?. We now have similar needs for communal support but are cut off from that. I see parents overworking to try and support their families. What if people who live near eachother could have trusted and well known friends that could trade with so free time could work in our waking hours? Love to hear your thoughts...

Today I shared a beautiful moment with my son. I listed my extra (yes I had a second TV in my bedroom, which is a whole other story). A mother and her sister came by with their 8 year old son to pick up the TV. I listed it at a very low price and had huge response. I let my intuition choose who the TV would go to.

I recently went to Japan to study where Shinrin-Yoku started. We took a long bus ride out to the Japanese Alps to meet with old Japanese communities and health care providers to learn more about the latest research on why engaging your senses in nature is so healing: physically, emotionally and spiritually.

In the fast-paced modern world we inhabit, we often find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of responsibilities, obligations, and the ever-present digital buzz. Amidst this chaos, how often do we pause, set a date, and embark on a solo adventure solely for ourselves? The practice of wandering, meandering, and immersing ourselves in nature, often referred to as forest bathing, offers an incredible opportunity for self-discovery, growth, and reconnection. Join me as I recount my recent solo journey into the woods – a personal healing quest that unearthed hidden emotions, bolstered my sense of ease, and left an indelible mark on my well-being.