Embracing Nature in Every Season: How Passion and Challenge Build Resilience

Laurie Warren
Mar 30
4 min read

Updated: Apr 1

Today, as I write this missive, it’s 68 degrees, and the birds are singing their raucous Spring song.

Hence, the New Englander quip, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute.” I love our quirky weather, and I love being out in nature in all weather. Especially in inclement weather.

Walking the beach in a Nor’easter, snowshoeing during a blizzard, or hiking in the rain?

Game ON.

Asking Why

In fact, a week ago, I was landing at the local Audubon property at sunrise, getting in my nature fix before the workday started. It was snowing hard, and I had my snowshoes with me.

As I pulled into the empty parking lot, I was reminded that not a lot of folks share my love for being out in “weather,” especially at the crack of dawn.

This thought led me to ponder WHY I love it, and I came up with a Top Three:

My late brother-in-law Buz—an avid sailor—kept a clipping on their fridge that read, “A bad day on the water is better than a good day at the office.” True. Although I’m passionate about the work I do, I’ll choose being out in nature over almost anything else, except spending time with my kids and grandkids.

So, reason number one is that I simply love being in nature.

Photo Courtesy of Daiga Ellaby from Unsplash

This reason is that when I head out in nature, when there’s weather, I often end up with nature all to myself. Not only does this feel delicious to me, but it also means that I sometimes run into wildlife. I take care to walk quietly, so with no human voices around, I have the element of surprise on my side. I’ll round a bend, and there will be deer, a coyote, a fisher cat (!!), a pair of foxes, a raccoon, a beaver, or an owl who decided to eschew her nocturnal classification.

Reason number two is that inclement weather supports the connection and experience that I’m seeking.

I’ve also had a recent revelation about myself that I like hard things. Not all the time, mind you. But I do love a challenge, having to work for something, and/or making something work. I like the feeling of not letting something (weather, in this case) get in my way. When I land back inside after my outing, I’m exhilarated and ready to take on anything.

Hence...reason number three? I enjoy a challenge.

Photo Courtesy of Jakan Tateisi - Loving a Challenge

In the end, one could say that I’m passionate about connecting with nature. Daily, if possible, and I’ll work even harder to make it happen if there’s weather, for the three reasons listed above.

Passion, Embodied

What is passion, exactly? And why is it important?

The dictionary defines passion as an intense desire, enthusiasm, and/or devotion for something.

Some folks understand true passion as an embodied state that reflects connection with a greater consciousness. When we’re so aligned with what we’re doing that we’re actually an embodiment of what we’re doing.

We may lose track of time, not be aware of things outside our passion bubble, or suddenly tune into the longstanding fact that we really have to pee.

Who can say why something lights us up?

Why am I passionate about nature, art, cooking, interior design, body-mind-spirit research, and helping others reclaim their human capacity? And someone else’s fire gets lit by snowboarding, cake decorating, collecting antique toys, civil engineering, and volunteering for a horse rescue organization?

Learning about people’s passions fascinates me. I enjoy movies like The Man Who Knew Infinity, Billy Elliot, Hidden Figures, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Free Solo. Each of which is the true story of an impassioned person following their North Star, often against all odds.

As long as it’s something positive—not being passionate about robbing little old ladies or something—I don’t think it matters so much what we’re passionate about. It’s what happens inside us when engaging with an important passion.

Know Thyself

Photo Courtesy of Brett Jordan - Find your Fire

What are you passionate about? Have you ever noticed how you FEEL when you’re engaged with one of your passions?

Not just the enjoyment of it, but the state you drop into. More present. More alive. More… yourself.

When we’re connected with something that truly lights us up, something inside us organizes. Our mind quiets, our body relaxes or energizes in just the right way, and we become more available to life.

In other words, when we’re engaging with our passion, we become resourced.

This is one of the quiet truths about reclaiming our human capacity and quieting our chronic stress: The more we understand ourselves — what nourishes us, challenges us, focuses us, and brings us alive — the easier it becomes to move through the world with clarity and resilience.

Ancient wisdom traditions captured this beautifully with a simple instruction: Know Thyself.

Photo Courtesy of hoi-an-and-da-nang-photographer Quiet Truths

The tool we use inside Reclaiming Capacity — The Map — invites us to get to know ourselves better. Not by fixing ourselves, or pushing harder, but by becoming curious students of our own wiring.

What brings you alive?

What drains you?

What steadies you when life gets wild?

Because when we truly know ourselves, we can begin to shape a life — and a leadership style — that actually supports our capacity instead of eroding it.

So, I’ll leave you with a question to consider as Spring starts stirring the Northern Hemisphere awake:

What makes you come alive?

And how might you give that part of yourself a little more room to breathe?