Have you ever wondered how all the quirky, meaningful "National Days" came about? I recently found myself scrolling through the National Day Calendar (as one does), and one in particular made me stop my scroll..
Today, July 18, is World Listening Day.
And it got me thinking…
When was the last time we truly listened?
Not just hearing the noise around us. Not listening to respond. But truly listening with our full attention, without rushing to fill the space. In our fast-paced, always-on world, it’s something we’re forgetting how to do.
From notifications, headlines, and news, to the constant invasion of tech, very little of our environment is bringing us closer to peace, health, and connection. There’s a kind of healing that only happens in stillness and in true human interaction… when we pause long enough to hear what the wind is saying, what our bodies are whispering, what our closest loved ones are trying to speak.
In honor of World Listening Day, I've compiled four nourishing ways to lean in, turn down the noise, and truly tune in to yourself and the natural world around you.
Because the Earth has music for those who listen. 🌎🎶
Today, instead of popping in earbuds on your walk, leave your phone behind. Pause in a patch of wild like your garden, a trail, or even your backyard, and try this:
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Close your eyes.
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Take 3 deep belly breaths.
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Then name:
3 things you hear in the distance
2 things you hear nearby
1 sound you hadn’t noticed before
This kind of deep listening activates your parasympathetic nervous system (your “rest and digest” mode), which helps with hormone balance, gut health, and emotional clarity.
Inspired by the healing stillness of a summer meadow, this brain-nourishing smoothie is packed with anthocyanins and calming compounds.
Wild Blueberry and Lavender Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup wild blueberries (fresh or frozen)
½ frozen banana
1 cup almond or oat milk (make mine fresh if possible or find a brand that has no fillers)
1 tsp raw honey (or maple syrup)
1–2 drops food-grade lavender essential oil or ½ tsp dried culinary lavender
Optional: 1 Tbsp chia seeds or collagen powder
Blend & Sip Slowly. Let it be a meditative moment by sipping in silence and listening to how your body responds.
This is a beautiful family or solo activity to reconnect with the outdoors and get curious about the world around you.
How to make it:
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Take a walk in a quiet area and listen intentionally.
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For each unique sound you hear, collect a small natural item nearby, such as a stone, pinecone, petal, or feather.
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Place them in a clear mason jar.
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Label it: “Sounds of Summer 2025”
Set it on your desk or bookshelf to remind you to tune in daily, not just with your ears, but with your heart.
"The Earth has music for those who listen." — William Shakespeare
The world has become louder than ever. We fill the silence with noise like scrolling, striving, performing, and in the process, we forget that the Earth sings.
The wind in the trees. The rhythmic pulse of a bird’s wings. The slow hum of bees in clover. These aren’t just background sounds, they’re invitations. To return and reconnect.
When I stop long enough to listen, I find answers I wasn’t even looking for. And I’ve learned this: the deeper the stillness, the clearer the voice. Whether it’s the still, small voice of God, your own voice, or the song of the soil, it’s always there. But it rarely shouts.
So today, wherever you are… try listening. Not just with your ears, but with your whole heart.
What you need to hear right now in this moment might already be waiting.
