On the night of my introductory talk this early June, rain gushed out of the sky, pooled in the streets, and alternated dark and light, heavy and sprinkling. A small group gathered around the cozy kitchen table at Hope Club in Latham, New York, and shared our deep experiences of nature, along with what science tells us about the healing effects of the natural world.
Because of the cooler temperature and the storms, we stayed indoors and sank our senses into photos of nature. Over pizza and salad, we talked about how being in or even thinking about the outdoors moved us–from thoughts of illness or anxiety to the “blessings of blooms and butterflies,” as one participant put it.
The scary and rushed sensation of getting to the building through rush hour traffic and bad weather faded; somehow, we became more ourselves.
It was decided, unanimously, I’d return to Hope Club to do an actual walk-experience, and this will happen in their beautiful garden on Thursday, July 20, from 6 to 8 pm. Again, the evening is free, some food will be provided, but please pre-register with Hope Club, (518) 220-6960, or through the Contact Us tab on this blog.
*Programs with Hope Club are open to ANYONE whose life has been touched by cancer, not just patients or family members.
This announcement is cross-posted on my writing blog, OfTheEssenceBlog.com
Of-the-Essence Holistic Wellness 