When I reflect on fond memories of my childhood, I am always drawn to thoughts of me, wandering through our garden, using my imagination, sharing stories and explorations with my friends... No matter how many toys or objects I had to choose from, I was at my happiest exploring our garden, getting lost amongst the trees in the park, watching plants grow - especially strawberries... - and be in my own company.
This natural drawing power that we have towards nature was painted even more clearly for me in the last class that I taught; buying each of them their own pot plant to look after and watch grow. The energy in the class was light, and positive, and filled with creative thought and fresh ideas. The class atmosphere evolved simply by having nature in the class room, which was then excelled by the children each having their own plant, nurtured by their own energy, which, in turn, reflected beautiful energy back to them.
I then began to fill the class with books about gardening, and in their free time, my class - who had developed a reputation in the school as an angry, disruptive, challenging group of children - were reading, exploring, watering, clipping, and working harmoniously, which was one of the most satisfying situations I have ever been exposed to.
Mentioning The Ringing Cedars series once again, the underlying idea that is expressed throughout the books is the importance of our connection with nature and how much we can give ourselves by, not only planting our own food and crops, but by simply being surrounded by nature itself (see YouTube clip here).
So, being a traveller and having an strong connection and appreciation for nature, I was excited when a recent conversation opened my eyes to WWOOF-ing; World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. The lovely person I spoke with about this organisation told me of their experience, volunteering on a WWOOF farm in Portugal, staying on the farm and eating their produce in exchange for his help on their farm.
He spent his mornings offering a simple yoga class to the others on the farm and spent the rest of the day either; farming, learning a sustainable way of living, and exploring Portugal. I also heard experiences of surfers from Australia, making their way around popular surf spots in the world, WWOOF-ing their way throughout. What an amazing way to travel and learn...
This natural drawing power that we have towards nature was painted even more clearly for me in the last class that I taught; buying each of them their own pot plant to look after and watch grow. The energy in the class was light, and positive, and filled with creative thought and fresh ideas. The class atmosphere evolved simply by having nature in the class room, which was then excelled by the children each having their own plant, nurtured by their own energy, which, in turn, reflected beautiful energy back to them.
I then began to fill the class with books about gardening, and in their free time, my class - who had developed a reputation in the school as an angry, disruptive, challenging group of children - were reading, exploring, watering, clipping, and working harmoniously, which was one of the most satisfying situations I have ever been exposed to.
Mentioning The Ringing Cedars series once again, the underlying idea that is expressed throughout the books is the importance of our connection with nature and how much we can give ourselves by, not only planting our own food and crops, but by simply being surrounded by nature itself (see YouTube clip here).
So, being a traveller and having an strong connection and appreciation for nature, I was excited when a recent conversation opened my eyes to WWOOF-ing; World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. The lovely person I spoke with about this organisation told me of their experience, volunteering on a WWOOF farm in Portugal, staying on the farm and eating their produce in exchange for his help on their farm.
He spent his mornings offering a simple yoga class to the others on the farm and spent the rest of the day either; farming, learning a sustainable way of living, and exploring Portugal. I also heard experiences of surfers from Australia, making their way around popular surf spots in the world, WWOOF-ing their way throughout. What an amazing way to travel and learn...
Travel. Nature. Growth. Sustainable living.
Simple. Beautiful. Perfect.
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