There’s something deeply healing about letting go — the way a tree releases its leaves in the fall, or how a river carries away what no longer serves. Nature shows us again and again that release isn’t loss — it’s renewal. At Rock Creek ReTreet Center, Beneath the ancient cottonwood, along the sacred trail, or by the flowing creek, visitors often find themselves letting go of what’s been heavy — and rediscovering a sense of lightness they didn’t know they’d lost.

You don’t need acres of forest or a mountain view to connect with nature. Sometimes, the most powerful healing happens right outside your own door. Whether it’s a backyard corner, a patio, or even a park bench beneath a favorite tree, creating a personal sacred space outdoors allows you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.

So often we talk about nature as if it’s something “out there” — separate from us. But the truth is, we are  nature. Our breath mirrors the rhythm of the trees. Our bodies move in cycles, just like the seasons. The same earth that holds the roots of the cottonwood also holds us When we begin to live as if this is true, harmony becomes less of a goal and more of a way of being. We Are Nature When we stand beneath the sky, sit by a creek, or feel the wind on our skin, we’re no

It’s so easy to get used to our surroundings. Over time, the things that once took our breath away can fade into the background — just part of the everyday landscape. Read more to learn how we can learn to reconnect with awe.