Travel Series: Whistler, BC - Harmony with our Wild Friends

Black bear enjoys his dandelion field amid passersby in Whistler

This weekend in Whistler, Canada, I was thrilled to watch a black bear as he or she happily chomped away at dandelions while locals and tourists alike meandered by.  Humans were walking, cycling, jogging - doing what humans do. Meanwhile, the bear contentedly did what bears naturally do - enjoyed the shoots of plants along our walking trails. They rely on this sustenance until the berries emerge for more diet diversity.  It hasn't been too many months since the bears emerged from their winter hibernation, but they've clearly been doing well on these plants.  Every bear I encountered over the weekend looked just as healthy as this local resident. And so it was, as he enjoyed his meal trailside, only casually glancing at us humans every once in awhile. To say he looked in any way curious about what we were doing would be an overstatement.  He was quite focused on his delicious meal and really couldn't be bothered with the trivialities of daily human life. 

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Black bear with his dandelion snack

Do you ever stop and cherish the opportunity to live among the wildlife in your local area? Whether it's the tiniest hummingbird or these big guys, be sure to stop and take it in.  Enjoy these moments. Nature grounds us. It helps us get out of our heads and into our hearts. It calms us, giving us a sense of peace and well-being.  If you want the scientific evidence of that, here's a good Nat Geo article on the subject. Mindfulness and gratitude are free and powerful tools we can use every day for our wellness -

I wish for you peace and well-being, and an opportunity to get out and bring a little nature into your life.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: ​

"Adopt the pace of Nature. Her secret is patience."

I can always use a little more of that in my life.....