Growing up in the city, my connection with nature mostly came from hiking trips to the Rockies or going berry picking with my grandparents. Even then, I wouldn't say I felt a strong connection with my surroundings. It wasn't explicitly taught — nature was more of a beautiful backdrop to which I attached good memories shared with loved ones. There was awe, wonder, and a calm comfort, but my true relationship with the natural world didn't begin to deepen until my late teens and early twenties.

It really started at Safeway.

I'd be minding my own business, grocery shopping, when I'd pass the floral department — and that's when the trouble began! All these little houseplants in their tiny pots would stare up at me, crying out for me to take them home!

They sucked me in every time.

Soon, the window sills of the small house I shared with my roommate were packed with these little plants that had somehow become people to me. I noticed that certain plants preferred to be near each other, that they had location preferences, and I could swear I saw one dance to Prince's Raspberry Beret one morning! Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my deep love affair with the "green people," as I later came to call them.

Some might think this sounds a little out there, but there's actually loads of scientific research exploring plant intelligence. Studies have shown that plants can sense danger, respond with care toward others, and adapt in remarkable ways. Research on the "memory of water" also suggests that the natural world holds more awareness than many of us realize. And anyone who has ever had a pet knows that non-human beings can be incredibly intelligent.

What I've learned is this: connection is about relationship.

If we want to truly connect with the world around us, it is vital to develop real, reciprocal relationships with all forms of life.

There are three foundational aspects to building a deeper connection with the natural world. They begin with shifting a worldview that many in Western culture have forgotten:

Recognize that all life is intelligent and sentient. When we move from this premise, we automatically move through the world as a part of nature rather than apart from it.

Show up and really be present. Presence is a gift. Think of how it feels when someone truly listens to you — it’s the same for other beings.

Practice reciprocity. To develop relationships, we need to recognize the foundational sacred law of giving and receiving. I was taught to always offer something — a song, a prayer, a pinch of tobacco or cornmeal, or even a lock of your hair — to acknowledge and honour the life around you before we take or even ask something of another. When we give first, we demonstrate our awareness of this sacred law, which opens pathways toward building right relationships.

This isn't complicated. It's "common sense" in its truest meaning — sensing in common, or being in communion, with other life.

Below are ten practices to help you step into a sacred relationship with nature. As you try them, offer something in gratitude. It opens the doorway to a deeper connection.

01. Walk Barefoot on the Earth.

Let the soles of your feet touch the soil, grass, sand or even snow!

02. Talk to Trees and Plants.

Don't be shy. If you're quiet and listen with your heart, they will "talk" back.

03. Take Your Worries to the Water.

Visit a lake, river, or stream. Make an offering — tobacco, flowers, or a song. Share your troubles and let the water take them for you. Then jump in and let the water wash away your woes.

04. Carry a Special Stone.

Pick up a stone that calls to you. Feel its weight, thank it for its presence, and carry it with you. Pet rocks are not just for kids!

05. Breathe Deeply Outdoors.

Take a moment to go outside and really breathe. Smell the air and notice what it conveys to you. It may tell you rain or snow is coming, or that a hot day is ahead. Let the wind caress your face. Let it carry the bad winds (negative thoughts and feelings) away.

06. Have a Sacred Fire.

Offer something to the fire, watch it come alive as you feed it with your prayers and kindling. Ask it to combust any worries or thoughts that are troubling you, and let it burn away worries. Add evergreen branches like cedar or pine for purification, and then dance with the fire and pull in its warmth and energy into your body.

07. Plant a Seed.

Tend it, watch it grow, and take time to witness and celebrate the cycle of life.

08. Take an Observation Walk.

Walk not to reach a destination, but to engage with your surroundings. This can be done 'in nature' or even in a city- remember humans are a part of nature!

09. Walk the Same Trail Regularly.

Get to know the changes in your environment through the seasons, and you may even meet your neighbours.

10. Create a Sit Spot.

Find a special place that calls to you. Sit, breathe, and observe for five minutes or more. Journal or draw what you notice inside and out.

Each month, I'll be sharing more teachings and expanding on these techniques to help you deepen your connection with the living world.

Stay tuned — and please share your stories with me. I love hearing how these practices open new doors for you.