What kind of relationship can you have when you’re in a kayak – floating down a creek – all by yourself? Is there opportunity to learn self-improvement when you’re alone?

Here’s one definition that the dictionary gives for relation: “A logical or natural association between two or more things; relevance of one to another; connection.”

Actually you’ll find a number of relationship opportunities to involve yourself in when you’re just floating down a creek. Each relationship, if you learn from it, offers a chance for self-improvement. And not all of those relationships are with other people.

Have you ever heard the saying, “commune with nature”?

There’s another dictionary word for you: commune – “To converse intimately; exchange thoughts and feelings.”

When you “commune with nature” you’re involved in a relationship with nature. You have a conversation, so to speak. When you get all wrapped up in nature the way I do, that conversation becomes very intimate. My mind opens up, completely taking in all that I see. I slip into a state of meditation.

My meditation is all about letting stuff flow, from nature, from God, and from within.

Mark Victor Hansen says, “God wants to talk to each of us; we merely need to start the conversation in prayer or meditation and patiently listen.”

Meditation is one way to start a conversation with God. All you need do is listen, and God speaks to you. He’ll give you guidance for self-improvement, and about how to be successful in life. You don’t often talk to other people about this conversation. It’s much too personal. But a healthy relationship with God teaches you a lot.

When I’m on the creek all by myself, I have a relationship with nature. And I have a relationship with God. I listen, I allow my mind to think whatever thoughts it wants, and I go into meditation. Then, suddenly, nature and God talk to me. And sometimes my subconscious talks to me. They tell me all kinds of little secrets.

They whisper to me through the leaves that rustle on the breeze. They sing to me with the screech of an eagle floating on the wind, and the chirping and tweeting of the birds sitting in the trees.

They call to me from the splash of a bass as it leaps for a meal of insect, or the coo of a Doe calling to her Fawns. (As she snorts to tell me she’ll tolerate my presence – but only from a distance.) I get messages from the croaking of a frog as it sings its nightly melody, and the racket of the raccoon as it searches through my pots and pans looking for food scraps that I left behind.

Yes, there are wondrous relationships for you when you’re alone, in the right surroundings, and just listen to nature, God, and your inner thoughts. You find tranquil contentment, an inner calm – an escape from the stress of everyday pressures. It’s a marvelous get-away that I cherish.

There’s also the relationship that you have with other people when you float down the creek.

Keep in mind when you’re involved in an activity that you’re never truly alone.

Other people come and go on the creek. The only way to not have them around you as you float along is to stop for the day when you first see them.

That can be good of course. You might spend the afternoon meditating. You might even take a sketchbook along and draw what you see. Maybe a picture of the creek upstream with canoes coming your way.

Or spend the time writing in your journal. Just let your mind wonder, and write down the thoughts that come. We call it free writing. You might surprise yourself with what you read after you’re done.

You have an obligation to those people too. You might notice that they’re sometimes inconsiderate, and make so much noise that they scare away the wildlife. Sometimes they throw trash in the water, or onto the banks. You can’t make them be polite or responsible, but you can lead by example, and some will follow.

Acceptance of responsibility helps teach you the art of personal growth. It gives you a chance, as you travel through life, to observe and learn. Becoming responsible allows you the chance to give others a positive example to follow. Be a great leader – not a rude follower.

Pay attention to relationships you have with your environment. Absorb the secrets that ride on the wind. Use those secrets for self-improvement to increase your abilities to give value to others.