Recently, I went on a friluftsliv walk in the woods—my favorite way to combine nature, exercise, and reflection. Friluftsliv is a Norwegian word that means “open-air living.” It’s less about outdoor adventure and more about slowing down, connecting with nature, and finding peace in simply being outside. That day, I wasn’t just walking for movement; I was walking to quiet my mind. The day before had left me unsettled, and I knew I needed space to process, to breathe, and to let God meet me in the stillness.

At first, my thoughts felt messy and tangled. Before I could even begin to sort them out, I had to bring myself back into the present. The simplest way? Focusing on my five senses.

I noticed the feel of the terrain beneath my feet, the breeze brushing against my skin, and the sound of crickets, a tractor in the distance, and a few birds calling out. Passing a farm, I breathed in the pungent scent of cow manure mixed with that crisp fall air.

Then I turned inward. A long inhale. A slow exhale. I repeated it, step after step. Instead of circling back to the issue I had been chewing on, I gave myself permission to simply walk and be. To feel the ground. To listen to the trees. To smell the forest.

Before long, I had covered two miles and arrived at my favorite spot: a boulder overlooking the wetlands. I sat, closed my eyes, and breathed deeply. Surrounded by the changing colors of fall, I prayed—asking God to quiet my thoughts, give me wisdom, and show me the next step.

Nature didn’t disappoint. A crane glided gracefully onto the water, ducks followed shortly after, and lily pads dotted the surface, some crowned with blossoms. A blue jay squawked in the distance while crickets filled the silence with their steady chorus. It was peaceful. Healing. Exactly what I needed.

I could have stayed there all day. Away from the noise and news of the world. Away from the problems that keep me awake at night. In that place, I wasn’t striving or “doing.” I was simply waiting. Waiting for calm, for peace, for God’s gentle guidance.

Eventually, my stomach reminded me it was time to hike another two miles to my car. But those 15 minutes of stillness in nature changed something in me. My problems weren’t magically solved—but my perspective shifted. My thoughts were clearer. My spirit lighter.

And that’s the lesson.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do isn’t to keep pushing for answers, but to pause. To step outside, breathe deeply, and notice the world around us. To give ourselves permission to stop “doing” and instead simply “be.”

In that pause, clarity comes. Peace follows. And often, God whispers the very thing we’ve been waiting to hear.

Your Invitation:

This week, give yourself a friluftsliv moment. Step outside—whether it’s into your backyard, a park, or a wooded trail. Leave the to-do list behind, engage your senses, and simply be. You may be surprised at the peace and clarity waiting for you in the open air.