Grounding in Nature, Grounding in Ourselves
This post is part of The Talking Piece, RPNYC’s blog, where we share stories, reflections, and practices from our work in restorative justice and restorative practices.
Recently, while catching up with a friend in Ghana, she said something that stuck with me: “So much is going on right now.” That simple truth resonated deeply. This year has been filled with both joys and challenges—personal, professional, and collective. As we move toward fall, I find myself pausing to reflect on how I want to meet this season.
For Erin and me, one of the highlights of the year was finally holding our long-awaited retreat. Originally envisioned as a writing retreat, it evolved into something broader, a time for RPNYC business planning, reflection, and restoration. What made it powerful was not just the work we accomplished, but the environment we created for ourselves. Being in nature changed everything.
Grounding as Practice
In our Wisdom of the Circle Deck, the Earth realm speaks to grounding—questions about the body, the seasons, and the natural world that bring us into the present moment. During our retreat, I felt this truth embodied. Paying attention to my own rhythms—sleep, hunger, thirst—helped me stay more present to the work at hand. The planning became more easeful because I was grounded first.
What surprised me was how much the details of nature, the trees we could name, the birds we spotted, the Blue Jays and butterflies, reminded me that slowing down is not miraculous, it’s natural. When we allow ourselves to notice, to rest, to give ourselves grace, we step more fully into our bodies and our humanity. We remember that we are part of nature.
A Seasonal Invitation
August always carries that transitional energy—Virgo season, the last beach trips, the shift from summer ease to the routines of school or work. As the light changes and the air cools, nature reminds us that change is constant. The question is: how are we noticing what’s shifting within us? Where do we feel connected, and where do we feel off-balance?
As you move through this season, we invite you to find one small way to connect with your body, the natural world around you, and a rhythm that grounds you. Ask yourself:
How am I responding to nature right now?
How am I listening to my body’s needs?
What balance am I seeking as I step into a new season?
Closing
Our retreat reminded us that restoration is not separate from the work—it’s what makes the work sustainable. We’ll continue to share reflections about how we bring balance and restoration into our daily lives, and we invite you to do the same.
—RPNYC, The Talking Piece
