Nature Mandalas as a Gratitude Practice
What is the meaning of Gratitude?
Gratitude is a quality or state of being. It is being thankful. It is an act of showing appreciation and returning kindness. Gratitude evokes feelings of appreciation, thankfulness, gratefulness, and thanksgiving. Gratitude is an invitation for thoughtful reflection and contemplation.
Gratitude Practice
Gratitude is a practice, like a muscle to exercise. Each morning when I wake, I consciously spend a few moments thinking and feeling into what I am grateful for in my life.
For me, gratitude is an opportunity to rest in a place of grace. When I practice gratitude on a frequent basis with this kind of intention and purpose, I begin to notice a shift in the way I relate and respond to the world around me. Gratitude becomes more spontaneous and fluid in my daily experience, creating a space for more happiness.
The Story Behind the Gratitude Nature Mandala
I made the “Gratitude” mandala in September 2017 after spending the day gardening and swimming, enjoying the carefree quality of a perfect summer day. I recall sitting under a Pine tree; and feeling so much gratitude for my family, the beauty of the plants, and the blessings of that moment.
Years later, this particular mandala that I titled “gratitude” supports my gratitude practice. Oftentimes I will picture this mandala in my mind and heart, the colors, the shape and textures, and the plants to remind me and inspire me to practice gratitude.
What plants are in this nature mandala?
The Gratitude Nature Mandala is made with:
Pitch Pine
Mullein Leaves
Jack in the Pulpit
Viburnum Berries
Northern Sea Oats
Ash Tree Samara
Crab Apple Berries
Norway Maple Samara
Solomon’s Seal Berries
Nature Mandala Plant Spotlight :: PITCH PINE
This nature mandala includes Pitch Pine picked from a woodland area near my home in Central Vermont.
When I gather pine to create a nature mandala, I will often look for the resin or sap on the branches or trunk of the tree. I will rub a small amount between my fingers and find that the smell awakens my senses and is quite energizing.
Smells are a powerful way to synthesize our experience and become a carrier for accessing our memories in the future. For me, pine invites memories of gratitude, appreciation and thankfulness.
Sharing my Nature Mandalas with Others
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share my art with others. One of my favorite moments is witnessing when someone finds a nature mandala design that they love. In that moment I feel like I created a piece of art that now also “belongs” to another.
GRATITUDE Meditation
Upon waking, each morning
I practice
inviting love
appreciation
kindness
to weave a pattern
of color
a pattern
of light
into my mind
body and breath
to then gently
rest in my heart.
Nature Mandala Art, Photography & Writing by Michelle Wallace
Michelle Wallace is a visual artist based in Vermont, known for her intricate nature mandala designs, which she has been crafting by hand since 2017. Her work is available in select stores throughout New England and online through her Nature Mandala Shop.