Practice gratitude in the Geelong Botanic Gardens

Use these ideas to practice gratitude when visiting the Geelong Botanic Gardens:

1. Listen for bird sounds - how many can you hear?
2. Feel the breeze on your face.
3. Lay on the grass and watch the clouds.
4. Go on a bug hunt.
5. Find something that makes you laugh.
6. Play peek-a-boo behind the trees.
7. Stroll through the camellia walk and look for the trees pruned into clouds.
8. Roll down the grass on the fern lawn.
9. Feel the bark on the gingko tree as you hug it.
10. Rub the salvia leaves to release their amazing smells.
11. Hug the bottle trees as you enter the 21st century gardens.
12. Listen for the frogs in the pond.
13. Take a moment to search for the resident possum in the dragon tree.
14. Stand under the banana plants and see if you can see the sky.
15. Notice the unusual plants, foliage, colours, shapes and patterns in the conservatory.
16. Notice the coolness and silence as you amble through the fernery and listen for frogs.
17. Stand under the cover of the towering ferns.
18. Look for the prickly plants.
19. Look for your reflection in the water fountain.
20. How many painted ladybugs can you spot throughout the gardens?

Natures beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude.

~Louie Schwartzberg