“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
The winds will blow their own freshness into you…
while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
~ John Muir
If you follow me on Twitter, you know they call me the #playoutdoors lady. It’s a title I wear proudly. Well, I just spent a few days with my people. My tribe. People across North America working to help connect children and nature. The thing I really love about the Children and Nature Network is the spirit of collaboration and lack of need to own the movement, which is, as it should be.
We should all be working together to get kids and adults alike outside. Whether you care about conservation, education, public health, recreation, developmental psychology, environmental justice, the creativity of the future workforce, or…
You see, it does not matter what angle you are interested in or what professional hat you wear. It doesn’t matter how big or small your organization is, or if you are out there on your own, beating the drum and reminding people that there is a beautiful world out there that they need to remember to be a part of. It doesn’t matter where you are from or whether you are a parent or not. None of it matters.
Today, tomorrow, and always there will be great personal and societal benefit for spending time outdoors. For getting to know the world around you and your place in it. For sharing those lessons, breath-taking vistas, and moments of wonder that can only be found when we take the time to slow down and head outside, allowing the most basic parts of ourselves to be restored.
Someone recently asked me why I do what I do. It’s simple, really. I do this because I firmly believe that life is meant for living. That happiness is found in simple moments of beauty, in connecting with ourselves and nature, and not only in being stewards of the Earth, but in stewards of our humanity. It troubles me to see so much lost in the never ending quest for more, so I write, and speak, and connect with others who want the same thing — even if it is for different reasons from my own.
So, I invite you to join me and my tribe — to join all the people across the globe that are doing their part to make a difference on personal or professional levels. In backyards and schoolyards. In parks, big and small. In nature centers, community gardens, and arboretums.
Join us. Get outside and play. Pass it on. Together our voices are strong.
See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru
As always, beautiful words, powerful passion. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Vick — and thanks for being a important part of the children & nature movement! Cheers ~ Bethe
ok — this is why I need to finish reading “Tribes” by Seth Godin. He writes about a new breed of leaders — like you — who are taking risks and changing the world by the simple act of CONNECTING to others. Can you hear the applause from this member of the tribe?
On and on! RT @stephhicks RT @balmeras: Join me: Pass It On http://bit.ly/3APERU #playoutdoors #nature
RT @balmeras Join me: Pass It On http://bit.ly/3APERU #playoutdoors #nature
RT @OCplayparks Get outside and pass it on. An inspiring post from @balmeras http://bit.ly/3APERU
Thanks, Amy! There is so much good work going on out there, and so much good will to be spread. I am happy to help people connect and to remind whoever that will listen that this is no dress reherseal — we only get one time around, and shouldn’t we dare to love it and be happy? Play as if your life depends on it, becuase in the end, it truly does.
On and on! RT @stephhicks RT @balmeras: Join me: Pass It On http://bit.ly/3APERU #playoutdoors #nature
RT @balmeras Join me: Pass It On http://bit.ly/3APERU #playoutdoors #nature
RT @OCplayparks Get outside and pass it on. An inspiring post from @balmeras http://bit.ly/3APERU
Hello there Bethe! Glad to have connected with you at the C&NN conference. You are a shining example of balance! How technology and nature can peacefully co-exist and benefit one another, while enhancing and improving life as we know it.
Inspired I have decided to start a work blog for chronicling my work and evolution. I have a long way to go!
Looking forward to keeping up with you virtually until we see each other again.
Peace!!
Lottie-Earthseed Detroit
RT @greenbeandreams: RT @tweetmeme Pass It On | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/uBI4A
RT @RayBeckerman: RT @greenbeandreams: RT @tweetmeme Pass It On | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/uBI4A
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: Pass It On http://bit.ly/3APERU #playoutdoors #nature yay to the sandpit tribe too. xx
RT @greenbeandreams: RT @tweetmeme Pass It On | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/uBI4A
RT @RayBeckerman: RT @greenbeandreams: RT @tweetmeme Pass It On | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/uBI4A
RT @balmeras: For the night shift: Pass It On http://bit.ly/3APERU #playoutdoors #nature yay to the sandpit tribe too. xx
LOVE this! RT @balmeras Join me: Pass It On http://bit.ly/3APERU #playoutdoors #nature
LOVE this! RT @balmeras Join me: Pass It On http://bit.ly/3APERU #playoutdoors #nature
As always you get right to the heart of the matter! Thank you Bethe!
The quotation and photo are priceless. John Muir happens to be a personal favorite of mine, a fellow Scot who emigrated to the USA. I never tire of nature, John Muir’s writing, or of the mountains and paths. Thanks for reminding me
RT @tweetmeme Pass It On | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/uBI4A
RT @tweetmeme Pass It On | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/uBI4A
RT @thegoodhuman:RT @TwilightEarth: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru: Pass It On http://bit.ly/3APERU #playoutdoors #nature
Thanks for the kind words, all! I love the community we are building here. Cheers ~ Bethe
RT @thegoodhuman:RT @TwilightEarth: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru: Pass It On http://bit.ly/3APERU #playoutdoors #nature
RT @tweetmeme Pass It On | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/uBI4A
RT @tweetmeme Pass It On | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/uBI4A
I grew up in Africa and we never stayed inside in fact we had to be out the house by 7.30 am in the holidays!! I used to go fishing at the dam every day – we never had an adult with us. We climbed trees, built dens in the bush and played in the river. When i let me kids do the same thing I am constantly criticized for leaving them to their own devieces. You are saving the future of our kids thank you.
New post @ The Grass Stain Guru: Pass It On http://bit.ly/hwjaZ1 #playoutdoors #nature #parent
RT @balmeras: New post @ The Grass Stain Guru: Pass It On http://bit.ly/hwjaZ1 #playoutdoors #nature #parent
RT @balmeras: New post @ The Grass Stain Guru: Pass It On http://bit.ly/hwjaZ1 #playoutdoors #nature #parent
Can you help me Pass It On? http://is.gd/oyV8DN #playoutdoors #parent #nature
RT @balmeras: Can you help me Pass It On? http://is.gd/oyV8DN #playoutdoors #parent #nature
RT @balmeras: Can you help me Pass It On? http://is.gd/oyV8DN #playoutdoors #parent #nature
RT @balmeras: Can you help me Pass It On? http://is.gd/oyV8DN #playoutdoors #parent #nature
As always, your way with words inspires! My greatest pleasure over the past year has been sharing the outdoors with others and hearing how it changes lives! “My son is so calm in school the week after Nature Club.” — “My husband started taking the kids outdoors every weekend.” — “This is my time to be silly. Right?” — “I need this. I need to be outside.” It’s a snowball effect and it’s picking up speed! I can feel it.
Michele´s last [type] ..Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks
Some inspiration for the #playoutdoors gang from @balmeras Pass It On http://bit.ly/f5pqe7
Life is for Living. Pass It On http://bit.ly/hwjaZ1