Finding Refuge: A Ritual for Receiving Reassurance from Nature

Last week, we spoke about the power created when you pause. When you step out of the rush and choose presence, and how that simple act sends a quiet, steady vibration into the world.

This week, let’s let Nature lean in closer. While stillness is powerful, reassurance is often something we receive, not something we generate on our own.

I’ve noticed this about myself over the years. When I’m overwhelmed or unsettled, and I step into Nature and quietly ask for help, I almost always receive the same message:

All is well.
All is well.
All will be well.
All is well.

It comes with no explanation or proof, not as a promise that everything will be easy, but as a deep settling in my body.

It’s as though Nature understands something tender about me: That personal trauma has left my nervous system a little too alert. That part of me is always listening for danger, bracing for what might come next.

And Nature doesn’t argue with that part of me.
She doesn’t tell me to “be positive” or “calm down.”

She simply offers reassurance. Like a steady hand on the back; like a voice that says, I’ve got you. And every time, I feel relieved, softened, less alone.

This has made me realize that reassurance isn’t weakness. It’s medicine. 

Even the natural world is built on it.

Trees communicate underground, sharing nutrients when one is struggling. Mushrooms pass messages across vast distances. Nothing in Nature is expected to hold itself together in isolation, but as part of a vast community working together on behalf of all. 

So, when my friend, Ardis, said this recently during a prayer, “…all of us need reassurance we cannot manufacture ourselves,” it felt like truth landing gently but firmly.

There are moments when your own inner voice just isn’t enough.
Moments when you need something outside yourself to say:
“You’re okay.”
“You’re not doing this wrong.”
“You don’t have to carry this alone.”

Nature does this so beautifully.
And so can we—for one another.

Your presence matters.
Your willingness to pause, to soften, to receive reassurance…
That creates a field of comfort that ripples outward.

And that, too, is healing.

Here’s a 3-Minute, Tiny but Mighty Practice to help you connect with All Is Well

Step outside or sit near a window. Let your body settle by taking a few slow, gentle, conscious breaths. Notice something steady in Nature—a tree, the ground beneath you, the sky.

Now quietly ask: “What reassurance do I need right now?” You don’t need words. If it feels right, gently repeat, out loud or silently:
All is well.
All is well.
All will be well.
All is well.

Notice how your body responds. Let the reassurance soften places that have been on alert. Before you move on with your day, imagine that same reassurance flowing outward to others who need it too.

This is how comfort moves through the world. And you just added to it. Thank you.

Underground Communication in Nature: A Hidden Web of Support

Nature has its own hidden network of communication, operating beneath the surface. Trees in a forest, for example, are connected through a complex village of roots that connect them to other trees and ensure they receive all the nutrients they need. They are also connected through mycorrhizal fungi, sharing nutrients and warning each other of potential threats. This underground network allows them to support each other, demonstrating that even in the natural world, interdependence is key. There is a lot going on behind the scenes (or should I say under the ground) that keeps everything operating smoothly.

Similarly, mushrooms spread their mycelium far and wide, breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients. This process not only nourishes the soil but also facilitates communication between different parts of the ecosystem. Nourishing the soil helps support all the other plant and animal life that relies on the soil for survival. Mushrooms might seem gross and harmful, but they’re actually a vital part of their ecosystem.

These are reminders that even in the most unexpected ways, Nature is constantly offering us examples of connection and support. The reassurance that we require can be found in every system and process of Nature. If we take the time, we can find what we need from everywhere. There is always so much we can learn when we tap into the energy around us.

Ritual: Receiving Reassurance from Nature

Find a quiet spot outdoors, preferably with trees or plants nearby, and take a moment to ground yourself. Remove your shoes and socks, and feel the earth beneath your feet. Take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the natural world around you, and exhale any tension or worry.

Light a stick of sage or palo santo, and gently wave the smoke around your body, starting from the crown of your head and moving down to your feet. As you do this, imagine any stress, worry, or doubt being lifted away and released into the air, purified by the sacred smoke. Take a moment to set an intention for the energy you're releasing and the reassurance you're inviting in.

Then, reach down and gently touch the earth with your hands, feeling the texture of the soil or the roughness of the tree bark. As you do this, silently ask for reassurance, allowing yourself to be open to whatever arises. Listen for the gentle whisper of Nature: "All is well. All will be well." 

Next, take a small handful of earth or leaves, and gently sweep it over your body, starting from the crown of your head and moving down to your feet. As you do this, imagine any stress, worry, or doubt being lifted away and released into the earth. Visualize the earth receiving these energies and transforming them into nourishment and growth.

Slowly walk a few steps, feeling the ground beneath your feet, and notice the sensation of each step connecting you with the earth. As you walk, repeat a simple phrase or mantra that resonates with you, such as "I am supported" or "All is well."

Next, find a tree or a plant, and gently place your hand on it. Feel the energy of the plant flowing into you, and imagine it nourishing your roots and calming your mind. Take a moment to acknowledge the support and comfort available to you, both from Nature and from the community around you.

Finally, find a safe spot to sit down and do the meditation below. Ensure that you are comfortable and protected while you do it.

As you prepare to close this ritual, take a moment to offer gratitude to the natural world and to yourself. You can do this by writing a message or drawing a symbol in the earth with a stick, or simply by bowing your head in gratitude. When you're ready, slowly open your eyes and take a deep breath, feeling refreshed and renewed.

Meditation: Embracing Reassurance

Sit comfortably, with your eyes closed, and focus on the sensation of your breath moving in and out of your body. 

Imagine roots growing from the base of your spine, deep into the earth, anchoring you and connecting you with the natural world. Feel the support of the land beneath you, and the web of life that surrounds you. 

As you breathe out, imagine any tension or fear leaving your body, replaced by a sense of calm and reassurance.

Allow yourself to receive the reassurance that is being offered to you, feeling it settle into your body and calm your mind. 

Repeat the phrase "All is well. All will be well" to yourself, allowing the words to sink in and bring you peace. 

As you breathe out, imagine any doubts or fears leaving your body, and as you breathe in, imagine calm and reassurance filling you again. 

Rest in this sense of calm for a few moments, feeling the support and comfort of the natural world around you.

Reflection Questions:

1. What are some ways you've experienced reassurance in your life, and how has it impacted your sense of calm and connection?

2. How can you incorporate moments of pause and reassurance into your daily life, especially in times of stress or uncertainty?

3. What are some ways you can offer reassurance to others, and how might that create a ripple effect of calm and connection?