The awe-inspiring Northern Lights have recently graced much of the United States, visible as far south as Arizona. In a world often dimmed by screens and headlines, this rare spectacle serves as a poignant reminder of the untamed wonder in our natural world. Yet too many of us dwell in virtual realities these days. Not just online, but in the stories we tell ourselves about people and nature, rather than immersing ourselves in their direct, living glory. We all know it: this disconnection is eroding our joy, leaving us restless, depressed and adrift. Deep down, we yearn for something more authentic, more alive.
Given how essential online life has become for our lives, we can’t simply log off forever. Instead, our mindfulness practice becomes our anchor. It invites us to pause and recognize when we’re mistaking pixels for reality: Social media isn’t “real”, we know that; we can’t truly hear a friend through text or email; and binge-watching Netflix, while comforting, rarely nourishes our deepest growth. These tools are engineered for addiction, pulling us into endless loops of comparison and distraction. The antidote? Intention. Boundaries. A deliberate choice to limit our engagement.
How much scrolling on Twitter or Instagram is truly necessary? I often joke that once a week onSaturdays for 20 minutes would suffice. For most of us, we are there much more than that. But even small experiments like this can reclaim hours for what truly matters.
As we head into the season of Thanksgiving, let’s shift our attention. Commit to carving out device-free moments: gaze at the stars, watch the sunset, or wander local trails, letting the rustle of leaves ground you. These simple acts can be poetic and provide us with profound healing we yearn for. Tuning into the gifts of the natural world calms our overstimulated nervous systems, quiets the mind’s chatter, and fosters genuine gratitude.
So let’s all step outside for some mindful breaths. Feel the cool air on your skin, notice the vastness above. What arises when you let the “real” world hold your attention? In that space, we remember: We are part of this magnificent tapestry, not spectators to a screen.
Wishing you a Thanksgiving rich in presence and wonder. May the lights—northern or otherwise—guide us home to the real.
With gratitude for the reminders from the sky,
Melissa McKay