Maya’s Mysteries: The Gift of Nature
“All the treasures of earth and heaven and everything between them are His, and His protection extendeth over all things.”
—The Báb
Today, I had an awesome nature walk with my friends! The sun was shining, and the air smelled like wildflowers. It reminded me that nature is a gift from God.
Many religions say that nature refreshes our spirits. It can also teach us virtues. For example, we can learn about perseverance from honeybees, which fly an estimated 55,000 miles (89,000 km) to make a pound of honey! (And I thought my homework was tough!)
Religions also encourage us to care for our planet. We only have one Earth, and it’s full of precious resources. You can help on your next hike by picking up trash, carrying a reusable water bottle, and not disturbing plants or animals.
How do you like to appreciate nature? Check out these activities and enjoy our wonderful world!
Creation Exploration
Invite friends and family to see how many of these activities you can do in two weeks. Add your own ideas, too.
Start Date: End Date:
- Count the dark rings on a tree stump to see how old it is. Each dark ring equals a year.
- Breathe mindfully and identify five different scents.
- Make leaf rubbings with crayons and paper. Use them to create a card for a friend.
- Spot three types of birds and find out what they’re called.
- Investigate leaves, flowers, and tree bark with a magnifying glass.
- Collect flat, smooth rocks and paint them with words and designs that reflect virtues.
- Choose a nature item and write a poem or song about it.
- Build a fairy house out of twigs, leaves, stones, and flowers you find on the ground.
- Tell or write a story based on the creatures you see.
- Plant and water some seeds that are native to your area.
- What nature items can you find that show unity in diversity?
- What virtues can you see in a tree?
- Draw your favorite nature item.
For a printable version, download a PDF of this activity.