How Nature Effortlessly Unleashes our Innate Creativity by Lyndol Descant

There is a place on the Austin Greenbelt's small grotto overlooking a wonderous valley spring. I was alone there with the breeze, the sky, the view and the birds singing when I reconnected with my voice.

I was mid-20's and lost. Confused. I had no idea what direction my future was headed. Becoming a musician was the furthest thing from my mind. I had been battling a depression for many years. Life held little purpose for me. I was immobile, passive and unable to take action.

I lived in a small efficiency that by happenstance was right at the Greenbelt trail's entrance. I found myself walking to this spot most days after I got off of my 9-5 corporate job. Looking back, I'm so thankful I got off my couch and did that.

It was on that trail that I began to feel a little more hopeful, a little more alive with each visit. Til one day – I felt so good, I just wanted to sing. So I open my mouth and there was my voice, full and bright. I was so surprised at it's richness, as if it was not my own. But I couldn't stop. I just kept singing.

I don't even remember the song now, but I remember how the moment felt. My voice was strong and clear as if it came straight from my soul. It bypassed all my blocks and fears and criticism that normally shut my voice down before it could began.

I felt boldly connected to all the beauty that surrounded me, as I sang. I no longer felt separated, ashamed, too lowly to contribute. Singing was the most natural thing I knew to do in response to the love I felt in that space. I was remembering something I had forgotten long ago.

This is the magic of nature. Nature can restore us to our true identity, heal our shame, our blocks to our own voice. We are reminded of our creative nature, which is as natural to us as breathing. But many of us, most of us, have been blocked from this abilty. Whether it was trauma, poor education, or growing up in a world gone mad, we were disconnected with our natural voice.

But it's still there. We never loose it, even when it's neglected and forgotten.

I've seen it over and over again since then. I've taken students out to nature for lessons, to experience the joy of singing in harmony with creation. Everytime, their voice and confidence comes online in an effortless way. They are just as surprised as I was that day so long ago.

Why does nature have this effect on us? Why does it feel so good, so right to sing in nature?

I'm open to hear what others think. I have my ideas, but also think it's part of a great mystery that is hard to put into words. What I do know is the effect is very real.

Lately, I've been blocked with music again. I have not been practicing as much as I like, and even found that my singing voice felt heavy; like I'm singing through a chain mail suit.

My jaw feels tight and my joy is very little. This is when I took to practicing 3 days straight out in nature doing my walking singing exercise (see this video for instruction). I can always rely on nature to help me face whatever blocks come up.

And they do continue to come up.

When you are a musician, you can expect to have ups and downs, plateau's and breakthrough's. That's why I always refer to it as a journey. But you can always have nature in your backpocket as the Ace to help you pull yourself out of ANY rut you might fall in.

For this particular block I was facing, I mostly chose sad songs that helped me express the darkness and the hopelessness. I was ashamed to come to nature for help when I knew, as a collective, we are asaulting her in the worst ways.

As I worked through those tears, I was held in the most gentle embrace by the trees, by the breeze and in particular the animals that came out to listen and join in at times. Pretty soon my wellbeing was restored. The sense of joy of belonging to the earth, to nature, to a oneness that is so full of love and forgiveness. How big is that love, that is beyond our offenses, our sins, our mistakes. As I sang from this place, I felt strong and ready to face my life again.

So many of us are struggling. The threats we face daily are real and hard to handle. Depression and helplessness sneak in until we no longer can manage.

But nature is there for us. Pick yourself up and get out there. Let it all go for a while and remember how to trust.

Whatever is your voice - singing, an instrument, art, writing, cooking, whatever it is – try to do it out there in nature. Try to offer it as a gift of love to yourself and to the grace you'll feel amongts the trees and animals. You will be restored, and you'll remember who you are – a unique human being part of a family far greater than we can imagine. Your voice and gifts are needed now more than ever. Let nature be your companion and comforter on your journey.