The purpose of Partnering With Nature is to provide knowledge and guidance about developing a personal connection with nature to improve the quality of our lives.
This book contains 18 chapters that are easy to read. It is arranged in 4 parts or sections containing 3 to 6 chapters per section. Thoughtful quotes from various philosophers, authors, the Bible, or a world leader begins each chapter. Chapters include relevant and current information about how to read the signs of nature, achieving an inner wholeness, healing ourselves through nature and developing a global ethic, and standards that promote a healthy Earth. MacGregor includes several beautiful sketches that enhance the content. In addition, she includes a photo of herself with a young sparrow hawk she found at the age of 11 years. The significance of raising the sparrow hawk and the role it played in her spiritual connection with nature at a young age was described.
Partnering With Nature is for anyone needing a connection. Throughout the book, MacGregor describes her personal connection with nature. She shares her experiences and encourages the reader to explore his or her own relationship with the natural world. She explains how this relationship can benefit health and improve the quality of our lives. For example, MacGregor encourages the reader to identify situations within the natural world that promote positive or negative energy. Negative energy results in activation of the stress response in individuals. Prolonged activation of the stress response has damaging effects on the health of individuals and may result in anxiety, sleep disturbances, increased frequency of colds, or gastrointestinal upset. Becoming aware of what promotes positive or negative energy is important because individuals can avoid situations that promote negative energy. Involvement in situations that promote positive energy will result in less stress for the individual and lead to a happier and healthier life.
MacGregor states that our connection with the Earth will result in improved individual health and promote a desire to address environmental problems such as sick building syndrome, global warming, and pollution. The healing power of plants was discussed. Several plants were listed that can be used to improve the air quality of a home or office. Information was provided about the country of Costa Rica and its efforts to become carbon neutral by planting trees. Iceland's use of renewable energy sources was described. Iceland uses renewable energy sources (ie, waterfalls, volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs) to provide electricity and heat, a practice that decreases green house emissions and saves money by reducing the need for fossil fuels. Placing a plant in an office, planting trees, and using renewable energy sources promote a healthier Earth, and healthy individuals need a healthy environment in which to live healthy lives.
This book is useful as a guide for promoting health and wellness. Connecting with the natural earth can promote mental and physical well-being. This book provides useful nonmedical practices nurses and other health care practitioners can use to promote a healthy connection for their patients such as balancing the 4 elements, identifying places of power, or creating a landscape map in order to help patients achieve a level of health that may improve the quality of their lives.
-Tauna Gulleyi, PhD, RN, FNP
Nursing Instructor The University of Virginia's College at
Wise
Wise, Virginia