Being alone when we want to be with friends can be depressing. But if we stay connected through nature, the experience can be elevating. A squirrel came to my room through the open door, sniffed around, did a small jig and then scuttled off leaving me in smiles. We feed the birds in the balcony and if someone is a little late with the bread we can see them waiting patiently on the railing. The crows will not let us forget their dues if we are busy, they'll caw constantly! Perforce some one in the family has to attend to their needs. I draw the line at pigeons flitting in and out of the house though they have tried their best to use the balconies as nesting grounds. Having been refused permission, they anyway use it as their sitting room!
I am also fascinated with the plant of chinese oranges and keep a tab on its progress from the sweet smelling flowers to the fruit which takes time to ripen from dark green to light green and then to deep orange. Plants become a source of joy if we relate to them.
We have to look around and seek to make connections with the ever present sentient nature.