By now, you've probably gained a sense of the importance Nature has in my life. As it should. In all of ours. We were born from nature, and we rely on it for the very essence of life. Every time I have the privilege to be immersed in it, I never fail to gain some new insight.
Humans seek. It's what we do. We seek enlightenment, self-improvement, physical perfection, a shorter commute... Nature is such a strong force in the world that no matter where we live or what our lifestyle, there is always a bit of the natural world creeping in. Even the concrete jungles of major cities are still home to a number of "greenspaces" where the inspiration of nature can be felt.
In modern life, while nature is still present, there is a tangible disconnect for people. This is especially true for those of us who live in suburban, or urban environments. We have pills for every ailment, GPS units to navigate, and we get our "food" from the supermarket. Our advances in technology and convenience aren't necessarily bad things, but we need to keep things in perspective and not forget about our past. Our connection to nature should always be cherished and remembered. There are many benefits to "getting back to nature". Research has shown that a connection to nature decreases stress and stimulates healing, and it makes people nicer!
As society continues to become more isolating, a growing number of people are uncertain about what to do with their lives - how to add value to it, provide meaning for it, or to simply find some measure of happiness in it. Spending time in nature can bring clarity.
The key is to become an intuitive navigator. Be aware. Look closely and see the signs, as subtle as they may be. Respect your own individuality. Not everyone will see things the same, and you may not have chosen the best path, but there are lessons to be learned on the journey all the same.
My most recent immersion was a 9-day section of the High Sierra Route - a much more adventurous alternative to the popular John Muir Trail across the Eastern Sierras of California. My aim was to do something more challenging... to get off the beaten path... challenge myself. And I did. I traveled almost exclusively cross-country - without a trail - crossing six 12,000' passes, and summiting two 14,000' peaks. There were many lessons I learned along the way, but chief among them was the importance of finding your own path."Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein
Humans seek. It's what we do. We seek enlightenment, self-improvement, physical perfection, a shorter commute... Nature is such a strong force in the world that no matter where we live or what our lifestyle, there is always a bit of the natural world creeping in. Even the concrete jungles of major cities are still home to a number of "greenspaces" where the inspiration of nature can be felt.
If you haven't already realized what life changing effects nature can have, you probably haven't spent much time in natural surroundings. Or if you have, you haven't really taken the time to gain the awareness of what nature does. Nature is a connection to your soul. It's how you spend time getting to know yourself - your true self.“I see a vision of a great rucksack revolution thousands or even millions of young Americans wandering around with rucksacks, going up to mountains to pray, making children laugh and old men glad, making young girls happy and old girls happier, all of 'em Zen Lunatics who go about writing poems that happen to appear in their heads for no reason and also by being kind and also by strange unexpected acts keep giving visions of eternal freedom to everybody and to all living creatures.” - Gary Snyder
In modern life, while nature is still present, there is a tangible disconnect for people. This is especially true for those of us who live in suburban, or urban environments. We have pills for every ailment, GPS units to navigate, and we get our "food" from the supermarket. Our advances in technology and convenience aren't necessarily bad things, but we need to keep things in perspective and not forget about our past. Our connection to nature should always be cherished and remembered. There are many benefits to "getting back to nature". Research has shown that a connection to nature decreases stress and stimulates healing, and it makes people nicer!
As society continues to become more isolating, a growing number of people are uncertain about what to do with their lives - how to add value to it, provide meaning for it, or to simply find some measure of happiness in it. Spending time in nature can bring clarity.
Everyone has heard that life is a journey and not a destination. As we journey through life, we can do so with a path in mind. The path doesn't have to be specific at first, or necessarily ever. It could be one we deliberately set, or one with no deliberate intent. A path is as much an expression of our individuality or uniqueness as it is a direction, purpose, or intent. Finding the right path means getting to know ourselves first. We can have more than one path going at any given time, so long as they aren't in conflict.“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives." - Henry David Thoreau
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” - Ernest Hemingway
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