Nature as a Teacher
Let the introduction to this blog post serve as a reminder of what my writings and social media presence are all about. From the beginning, I have strived to create a balanced perspective and apply a critical eye in bringing together sources serving to inspire us to create. Inspiration is not a linear construct, which, I hope, comes of no surprise to those who bask in its steadfast resolve to motivate us when we feel our creativity has left us. This is what drives me no matter what life throws in my direction.
I may seem a tad Pollyanna in my thinking, which for those of you who are unaware of the sentiment, essentially means I am being overly simplistic, naïve, or blind to difficulties by focusing only on the bright side. One only needs to perform a quick perusal of their social media or news outlet of choice to witness the state of our world. My bright side approaches it this way; it is only one side, where the whole is greater than the sum of all its parts. So, if you take anything from this post, please take a moment to stop doom scrolling and step outside to engage with other humans to see the world as it is truly. Balance is everything.
Since 2017, I have covered a number of elements ranging from streaming series’, movies, and video games where glimpses into their strengths and shortcomings serve to remind us, actually understanding the essence of our craft is the most important element, while harnessing inspiration stands with it shoulder to shoulder. There is nothing more exhilarating, nor thought-provoking, than the flash of a new idea or sudden revelation on how to solve an existing creative roadblock. If one looks back, it is invariably tied to a moment where time is taken to stop, look around or upward, and listen to the stillness. If you are like me, these moments tend to predominately happen in the shower!
In my June 2025 blog post, I wrote about a portion of this insight when referencing a reconnection with my spirituality, which I had locked away in a treasure chest requiring a lockpicking puzzle to access it once again. For you gamers out there I know what I just mentioned will not be lost on you. Have I not mentioned how humor can be a wonderful source of inspiration? Consider yourselves duly notified.
In making a commitment to walk the path more openly and truly embracing who I have always been, my daily walks coupled with everyday comings and goings have served to profoundly and deeply humble me. This resurrected awareness is something I have not felt since I was a teenager. I have looked skyward more times in the last few months than I have in over 20 years. The difference it has made on my mental health, well-being, and ability to relate to others, even if they say things I may totally disagree, has been enlightening.
As one who has created an entire universe in his teen years where the main protagonists can touch the elements comprising the known universe, it should go without saying, each of the classic elements in nature offers a gift to the creative practice:
Earth is the foundation of our stories. It reminds us of roots, stability, and the sensory richness of touch and texture.
Water teaches fluidity. It inspires flow in language and adaptability in narrative.
Air gives breath to our words, demonstrating how rhythm and pause shape meaning.
Fire sparks passion. The warmth of sunlight or the glow of a campfire mirrors the energy each of us brings to the act of creation.
To write with nature is to let these elements guide our metaphors, moods, and movements across the page.
Reconnecting with nature restores the art of wandering—both physically and imaginatively. A content creator wandering a forest path learns to follow trails of curiosity, noticing small details, asking questions, and embracing uncertainty. This openness translates into writing: plots meander into discoveries, characters surprise even their creator, and themes arrive unexpectedly, like a deer stepping quietly from the trees.
In truth, nature doesn’t just enhance creative writing; it transforms it. It teaches patience in revision, rhythm in prose, and honesty in expression. When we regularly reconnect with the natural world we rediscover not only inspiration but also humility—an awareness our words are part of a much greater story unfolding all around us.
Ultimately, content creation, in this case our writing, is an act of relationship. It is a dialogue between the self and the world, between inner voice and outer experience. Reconnecting with nature strengthens this relationship by reminding us we are participants, not merely observers. The forests, rivers, skies, and fields are not just backdrops for our stories; they are co-authors.
Whether we are connecting with nature for the first time or treating it like we are catching up with an old friend is to remember creativity itself is natural—an ancient force as enduring and everlasting as the earth beneath our feet. In this remembrance, the art of writing becomes not a struggle for originality, but a return to something timeless, flowing, and alive.
Reconnecting with nature is not simply beneficial for creative writing—it is essential. It reminds us of cycles when we despair in drought, offers metaphors when we reach for language, and restores humility when we are tempted by self-importance. Most of all, it reminds us the act of creation is not foreign to us, it is inherent in our DNA.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, pause to listen to the stillness. Try to remember, long before classrooms, literature, or formalized craft, humanity learned to tell stories by watching the world unfold. The rise and fall of the sun became the first narrative arc; the migration of animals, the first plot; the shifting seasons, the first metaphor. Every ancient myth or oral tradition can be traced to nature’s instruction.
Nature is not simply a source of inspiration; it is the original teacher of rhythm, imagery, and story. Writing without its influence is to forget where our craft began.
Until next time, your moment of Zen is to talk less, do more and be humble. This will allow wisdom to take hold and give you the ability to help yourself, while being effective in helping guide others to take their journey towards living in the moment.
Be safe, be well and let us get back to honing the fine art of creative writing.
