We (human being across the globe) are increasingly living in CITIES.

When I say cities what do you imagine in your mind? I tend to see asphalt, roads, sidewalks, and buildings of all kinds of shades of grey, black, and brown. Throw in the gleaming shiny reflective surfaces of glass and you have a downtown. Straight lines and hard surfaces. 

Do you see cars or do you see bicycles?

We have put people into human-made cement boxes but I think many of us feel a pull towards something that is more green, more earthy, more alive. City dwellers are spending more time in parks and there is a ton of research about the benefits of being outdoors. Being closer to nature improves our mental and physical health, regardless of our cultural or ethnic background, regardless of our socio-economic status, regardless of our gender or our lived experiences. 

Folks with the priviledge to travel often choose to vacation in beautiful natural places where they can feel the sun on their faces, sand between their toes, or taking selfies in canyons and under waterfalls.

If we paused to consider the beauty under the pavement in our cities we might realize we have sacrificed the land we live on to the interests of car dealerships and developers. We might realize that our cities would be more regenerating if we restored the existing natural ecosystems. 

Take a parking lot and break it up. Plant some native seeds. Nurture them and bring yourself something more green, more earthy and more alive.