The Best Remedy Is To Go Outside

Maybe it’s that I was raised in the “Last Best Place” of Montana that has always enabled me to feel a more intimate connection to nature. Or perhaps it is just simply that nature, wherever in the world you find yourself immersed in it, offers visitors a momentary glimpse of heaven where everything is at peace and the world just seems to be more comforting and manageable.

One of my favorite quotes about nature is actually found in the diary pages of Anne Frank. She sums up, more eloquently than I ever could, how being in nature changes a person and how being in it, is more healing than any other medicine on earth.

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and is certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”

A few days ago I had the privilege of re-immersing myself in the abundant nature all around me in Montana and Miss Frank’s quote was the only thing that went through my mind.

With my dad, boyfriend, and a bedload of dirt bikes in tow, we headed out toward Suller Gulch past Canyon Creek. After riding several miles up slippery two track trails, we came upon a hillside that I had to blink and shake my head a few times at to make sure it was real. The entire hill was the brilliant color of fresh picked lemons. It was covered in thousands of bright yellow flowers. It absolutely took my breath away. I could’ve run back and forth through those flowers all day, bending down occasionally to breathe in their scent. 

The glorious golden field

But we journeyed on.

After several more miles we came around the corner and saw a parting in the trees. Through them was the most glorious view of rolling green hills and mountains for as far as the eye could see....and a sky so blue I couldn’t believe it was real. Standing up on the mountainside and gazing out, I felt complete and utter peace in my soul. And all of the troubles and heartaches I left town with were suddenly forgotten. As Anne Frank put it, the view brought “solace to all troubles.” That peak wasn’t anywhere near the height of Mount Everest, but on that afternoon I truly felt on top of the world. I felt happier...and stronger...and more content with the world. I never wanted to come down from that mountain.

Can see for miles and miles

I took dozens of beautiful photographs on the ride, but the ones that remain in my mind and heart are far better. They are the ones that will sustain me when times get rough in life and I long to be somewhere far away. As James Barry put it, “God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December.” Whenever I feel lost and hopeless and lonely in life, I will close my eyes and go back to that golden hillside and mountain peak and find a peace and strength that nothing else can deliver.

Wherever you are, find a slice of nature nearby that stirs up such feelings of elation for you...and journey there as often as possible. Periodically immersing yourself in nature will heal and comfort you far more than a friend or a drink. It is where you feel like you are a little nearer to God and to the beginning of all things.