A Month of Quotes Inspired my Nature and Travel – March edition

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus

Sometimes it takes the coldest, darkest days of winter to make us see that, even within those difficult moments, there is beauty and hope.  Summer always follows winter, just as good times will always follow the difficult ones.

Enjoy the following quotes, inspired by nature and travel, and the beautiful photographs from around the world paired with them. Sometimes, a few words, arranged just right, is all it takes to inspire me to dream and bring a smile to my face. I hope you feel this way as well as you read through this month’s inspirational quotes.

“The sea, once its casts it’s spell, holds one in it’s net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Cousteau 

Anyone who has lived or spent time by the ocean, knows there is a power and magnificence in it that is captivating. The mystery, beauty, serenity, and power that it holds seems to be an extension of all the possibilities we hold within our souls. Has the ocean cast it’s spell on you?

“The Earth has music for those who listen.” – William Shakespeare 

The sound of the leaves rustling in the wind, waves breaking on the shore, rain pouring down. Birds singing in the trees, a coyote howling in the twilight, a cat purring at your feet.  The low rumble of thunder in the distance, water running in a stream, crickets chirping on a summer night. What are your favorite sounds in nature?

“The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask.” – Nancy Newhall

Hiking with my kids is one of my favorite pastimes.  They remind me of the magic of nature. They see the world in its unrushed state and find joy in the beauty of it all. Their thoughts are in the here and now, and they reopen my eyes to the wonder of the world around us.

“Some peaceful paths can’t be discovered without getting lost.” – Erol Ozan

New adventures come when we allow ourselves to get a little lost. Whether it’s wandering through a city, following a new path into the forest, or losing yourself in the world, we find places we never knew to look for and adventures we never could have dreamed of when we give ourselves the freedom to get lost. 

“Now I see the secret of making the best person. It is to grow in the open air and eat and sleep with the earth.” – Walt Whitman 

I spent the better part of my days as a kid outside: playing in the dirt, exploring the woods, and laying in the grass staring at the sky as the stars came out. As an adult, I find that when life feels overwhelming, it’s being in nature that fills me with peace and calm. How does nature bring out the best in you?

“Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things.” – Lao Tzu

When we see the world,  and all that is in it, as part of ourselves, we see that it is also ours to protect. We not only see it as our responsibility, but we also feel the desire to care for everything around us deep within our souls. 

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt 

Believe in yourself and give yourself the freedom and permission to dream.  We can make the future anything we want it to be when we first believe in ourselves. When the visions in our minds are beautiful, we are then free to see the true beauty in the world and our future.

“Sunset is still my favorite color, and rainbow is second.” – Mattie Stepanek 

Some of the most beautiful colors can be found in nature: turquoise blue of a lagoon, magenta in a dragonfruit, sunrise turning the sky pink. But, I agree, I have seen sunsets that have turned the world into a place of magic. What is your favorite color in nature?

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

When what we do comes from a place of kindness and good intentions, it starts a cascade of positivity. Even if you don’t see a change based on your actions, the people around you feel it and are inspired. 

“The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood, and the sound of outer ocean on a beach.” – Henry Beston

The further I retreat into nature and the more distance I put between myself and society, the more the sounds seem to reach into my soul. I have listened to the rain deep in the Australian rainforests and far in the Alaskan backcountry. I have heard the ocean meet the shores on remote islands in the Pacific. I have not yet found myself in a primeval forest, but I hope to one day, and look forward to hearing the sound of the world.

“I travel because I’d rather look back at my life, saying ‘I can’t believe I did that’ instead of ‘if only I had’.” – Florine Bos

I decided a long time ago that I would not live life with regrets or wait until the never-arriving “some day” to live my dreams. Even if every adventure doesn’t work out exactly as planned, at least I reached for my dreams, took a chance, and lived.

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” – Will Rogers

We can’t change the past, no matter how much we replay the moments ot the words.  But, we can make the future more positive and bright by being present in today.

“Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.” – Walt Disney 

When we were children, we laughed and dreamed with ease and imagination was our best friend. Somewhere on the path of growing up, those three seem to fade until, on some days, they are hard to find. Let’s find that path back to our dreams, our imagination, and our unrestrained laughter.

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi 

When you live you life true to yourself, you are able to align what you think, say, and do. You are no longer in conflict between how you live and what you believe. It is then, that happiness will come to you. 

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein 

Release your inhibition and let your creativity flow…

“Always do what you are afraid to do.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson 

The life you’ve dreamed of is waiting for you, if you are willing to step outside of where you feel comfortable and confront that sense of fear that holds you back.  Find the courage to face your fears and take the chance to live a life that is extraordinary.

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – Anias Nin

When we choose to follow a path of adventure, we find a life that is exciting and rewarding, but we also find times that challenge us and require our courage and bravery.  We can find an easier path, where choices are easy, but the rewards are far less. Which path will you choose?

“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.” – Chinese Proverb

There are many who prefer to say it can’t be done than to try and prefer to not see others succeed at what they won’t attempt. Don’t let those who criticize prevent you from following your dreams.  

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” – Edward Abbey

Nature is an integral part of our spirit and our soul.  It balances and rejuvenates us. Having access to nature, and time to spend immersed in it, should not be viewed as something we need to work hard to earn. It should be a part of each day for every one of us.

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

The fear of failing often holds us back from trying and the fear of trying a second or third time can prevent us from reaching our dreams. But finding the courage to take that chance can lead to the greatest rewards by making life extraordinary.