Why I Wrote a Book about Exploring Nature in New England
Spring is emerging! I take a walk around the block every workday in the afternoon when my eyes need a break from staring at a computer or phone screen. This 20-minute route gives me an opportunity to be present without distraction. These days, I notice the colorful flower buds sprouting from the ground after a hearty rain, and often see blue jays flying from tree to tree. Nature inspires me and brings me joy, so I decided to write a book about it!
Awakening to Nature’s Beauty 10 New England Meditations for the Wandering Spirit is intended to offer readers of all ages an immersive and visual experience through vibrant descriptions of some of my favorite New England locations across Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.
There are 10 “outdoor journeys” you can take with accompanying original photography created by Moriah M. Mylod, MAAT, ATR, RYT, an artist and friend who I deeply admire. All four seasons are represented.
Collaborating on this project is also providing me with an opportunity to give back to the community. 100 percent of all profits are going to the American Art Therapy Association in support of mental health awareness and ending stigma related to treatment.
I am so proud to share the final version of this book! I hope you enjoy learning more about the world around us and the abundance of nature's gifts through the words and imagery inside.
Book excerpt: "The fall foliage is bursting with shades of orange, yellow and red, mimicking a painting in texture and color. The pond surface to your right mirrors the scene perfectly, doubling the dazzling sight like a mirror. The crisp fall air surrounds you, bringing earthy scents to your nose.
Two blue jays flitter from branch to branch in the tall trees ahead. You take a moment to gaze up at the bright blue sky in the canopy above. The swirl of clouds and sky fill your eyes against the contrasting colors of the changing leaves.
You climb over a few gray rocks that lead up a small hill. One of the blue jays has followed you on your walk and chirps in acknowledgment of your presence."
**Educators, community leaders, and interested individuals are welcome to download and share a free copy of the Create Your Own Guided Meditation Workbook included in the book. The artist has also provided a supplemental PDF resource for individual or group Earth Mandala instruction. Enjoy!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RIVER INGHAM, MSC is a freelance writer and social impact digital marketing consultant based on the East Coast. They grew up in the desert landscape of Arizona but has called this area of the country home for over a decade. Their writing portfolio is a pastiche of many different styles and genres. They enjoy writing about education, art, culture, and community and often draw from lived experience in their work.
In their decade-long career, River has worked on marketing, communication, and writing initiatives with local, regional, and national organizations. River earned their B.S. in public relations from Northern Arizona University in 2010 and completed their master’s in communication program at Clark University in 2020.
You can read more of River’s writing by visiting their online portfolio.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
MORIAH M. MYLOD, MAAT, ATR, RYT is a visual artist, registered art psychotherapist, body somatic yoga teacher, multidisciplinary educator, and an adjunct professor of art therapy residing in the northwest region of New Jersey. She primarily works in her home studio, Birdseye in The Attic, where she explores various painting medium applications on canvas, paper, and wood. Moriah has been working artistically in the great outdoors for several years, specifically in the ephemeral arts creating earth mandalas from United States Eastern terrains. Moriah has experience in clinical work, expressive art lessons, trauma-informed presentations, poetry readings, creative arts workshops, community art projects such as murals, facilitating art experiential and guided-meditations.
Moriah graduated from Cedar Crest College in 2013 with a B.A. in Art Therapy and a Minor in Art History, where she was a recipient for the Howard Agar Memorial Prize for demonstration of significant ability in the studio arts. She obtained her Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Cedar Crest College in May 2016.
You can view more of her mandala art, paintings, and writing on her online portfolio.