I feel connected to the natural world in many ways. When I was a kid I spent endless hours outside exploring the woods, swimming, biking, and gardening with my parents. Now I spend less time outside, but I still feel connected to the natural world. While we live in a city, I still make use of all of our amazing green spaces and parks on the water. As I have gotten older I have become busier and it is harder to find the time to be outside. When I do have time to be outside I head down to a dock near Water Front Park, this is my favorite place in Charleston. I love watching the water and there are always dolphins flipping out of the water. Boats come in and out of the port and there is an amazing view of the Ravenell Bridge. I feel connected to the natural world the I go outside and mediate. It brings peace to me knowing I’m a small part of a big system. When I mediate outdoors I feel grounded afterwords. There are many benefits to mediating and being outdoors, so I do both at once to maximize my time. Being connected to the natural plays a big part in our well being. It is proven to improve mental health and boost overall mood. For this assignment I went down to a dock at the end of Bull Street, near Lockwood drive. I sat and meditated for 10-15 minutes and then I just relaxed in the sun. A friend showed me this dock, which is not far from campus and a great place to relax or even study. I have always loved the water and everything about it. So for me, heading to the spot on or near the water is ideal for connecting to the natural world. My experience this particular time was amazing, the weather was perfect for a relaxing time to escape from the city. It was quiet and I was the only one out there. It is important to take time and appreciate the nature we have around us. I do not have this quality of outdoor space at home and all green spaces/parks/forests are a 30 minute drive away. It is nice to live a city with amazing and well kept green-spaces for locals and tourist to enjoy. The City of Charleston has done an amazing job keeping these parks and docks a reality for us. Although the amount of time I have spent outside has changed over the years, I still make sure to get out at least once a week and enjoy everything this beautiful and historic city has to offer us.