The Botanical Garden’s Nature Ramblers: A Call to be Present
Photo from State Botanical Garden of Georgia
The Botanical Garden’s Nature Ramblers: A Call to be Present
We often find ourselves scrambling behind an ever-growing to-do list, our “in the now” plagued with the “what’s next,” our minds constantly cast into the role of predictor rather than experiencer. Ask yourself: what does it mean to be still?
By fourth year Ostara Maharaj
We often find ourselves scrambling behind an ever-growing to-do list, our “in the now” plagued with the “what’s next,” our minds constantly cast into the role of predictor rather than experiencer. As one thing gets checked off, another thing gets added. We promise our time to media consumption, academics, social events, and more. Our commitments exist in overabundance.
Ask yourself: what does it mean to be still?
If you’re looking for a way to commit to the now, look no further than UGA’s own State Botanical Garden. The Garden’s weekly “Nature Ramblers” meeting—which takes place every Thursday morning in September, October, and November from 9:00 to 10:30 AM—invites members of the Athens community to be inspired by the flora and fauna in our very own city.
Just miles from UGA, the “Nature Ramblers” provides a free space for anyone to make new friends while appreciating mother nature’s quirks. The group encourages attendees to bring their own creative writing pieces to share with the group at the beginning of each “nature walk” as a way to foster a spirit of collaboration and inspiration. After beginning each informal session with an inspirational reading, the group then embarks on their nature sashay, in which they stop to observe critters, plants, fungi-friends, and more.
Anyone is welcome to join the Nature Ramblers for just one session or every week! This low-commitment, free event is a great way to step away from the noise and into the now. If you can find the time between sips of coffee and homework assignments to breathe and behold the community around you, the Nature Ramblers is a perfect spot to start. Allow yourself to dedicate time to the self; the rest will follow.