Enjoy Nature to Stay Strong

I once shared a story about a tough climb up the rocky side of Oregon’s high mountains, where I, seventy‑three, struggled with a sore knee. The trail was steep and the rocks were rough, but I kept going because tiny wildflowers kept my mind bright.

The same reason pushed me to a protest in a small town. I felt anger about unfair wars and the way our leaders ignore people’s rights, yet walking among trees and seeing birds steadied my spirit.

The plants that grow on those hard, metal‑rich rocks are special; they can survive where most others cannot. I saw paintbrushes with soft lavender blooms, stonecrops that look like twisted parrots’ beaks, and blue Lewis flax that matches the sky. In a clearing of tall beargrass, white star‑shaped flowers floated like tiny clouds.

Nature gives me a break from stress. Studies show that even simple outdoor time lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, and cuts down on stress hormones. A tough hike isn’t “forest bathing,” but it still pulls me away from screens and connects me to the living world.

To keep fighting against bad politics or unfair policies, I believe we need two steps: stand up and then heal. Standing up can mean writing letters, voting, or walking in protest. Healing means spending time outside, watching flowers grow, and letting nature calm your mind.

When we feel worn out by injustice, looking at a wildflower reminds us that life continues, and that gives us the energy to keep pressing forward.