I heard somewhere that exercise is the most underutilized antidepressant. I’d add that getting out in nature is key to restoring tranquility and calm after a long day. For me, it was neither depression nor a bad day that got me hiking in the woods today. On a day like today, how could I not?

I got passed by a couple of guys that were doing some serious power hiking, but my object isn’t about speed. It’s about taking it all in and paying attention to what’s around me. I’ll linger if I see a creature like this deer hanging around the path. After all, it’s not a race but an experience.

It’s like the old scratch and sniff, but way better. It’s about the sights, the sounds, the smells, the feeling. It’s about somewhere in the middle of the city of Nashville where it’s like you’ve entered another world away from traffic jams and offices and the daily grind.

My advice to you is to get outside and be in nature. Let the beauty of God’s creation captivate your soul and enrich your senses. Put away your devices and headphones and be silent and just listen to what God is whispering through His world.