Wilderness as Endless Rebirth

Emily Dickinson said, “Sunrise: day’s great progenitor.” It’s often too easy to forget that we were born of nature. Sunrise gives birth to the day, as Dickinson reminds us, and so too nature gives birth to us. Sometimes, when we’re caught in destructive patterns and addictive behaviors, the body and mind need a rebirth, a feeling of total reset, that is often difficult to find in contemporary culture. Nature gives us a reminder everyday that there is hope and there is such a thing as rebirth, as the sun does rise every morning after a long night of darkness. When we adventure and live amongst nature for any period of time, our bodies get attuned to the natural rhythms of the sun. We rise when the sun rises and we begin to wind down when the sun starts to set. This simple act of being intune can create a renewed sense of hope, wildness, and yes, rebirth.

The Simplest Mood Boost

Think of it as sunrise therapy. It’s a free, simple way to lift your mood. Research has confirmed what Emily Dickinson knew long ago. Watching the sunrise is lifts the mood and indeed, is the day’s great progenitor. Let’s not forget Dickinson’s epic daily walks in nature which birthed her poems. She also wrote, “How strange that nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude!” We have to go out and find nature for ourselves. The sunrise is not going to force you to watch it and the natural world will not stand with bated breath waiting for your arrival. When we actively make the decision to get back to nature, we’re rewarded with daily rebirths and in turn our minds, outlooks, and therefore, behaviors shift. We become the essence of rebirth itself, constantly regenerating and never without hope.

RedCliff Ascent is a therapeutic wilderness program, nestled between two mountain ranges in the high desert of Enterprise, UT. We focus on adolescents ages 13-17 who are struggling with various challenges from anxiety and depression, to school abandonment and the need to reconnect with their family. With over 25 years of experience, RedCliff uses a relational model and narrative therapy to drive an outcome and an evidence-based approach. RedCliff Recovery offers an experience like no other through a proven, 12-step, adventure-based wilderness program. For more information, call us today: 801-921-8488.

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