Find Yourself in Nature

For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century, he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it. – Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Too much of human society has become far removed from the natural world. Whole cultures are stagnating under the sterile weight of mass communications powered social media enabled hub-bub. The whirling, whizzing, fizzing phantasmagoria of digital ephemera erodes our connections to nature.

Bright and shiny whirligigs mesmerize and tantalize us with the unfulfilled promise of satisfaction and wholeness displayed across interconnected tiny glass screens. People try to get the perfect selfie from a so-called famous spot. Once beautiful places are overrun with photo takers and temporary documentaries of the superficial masquerading as the profound. Put down the mechanism and simply BE. Be one with our incredible planet-home.

Experience the bare beauty of shifting sands and featureless gray sky. Stand still and hear your heartbeat as one with wind and wave. Place yourself within the landscape and get reacquainted with nature. Be alone with your thoughts and limit your photos to pure and meaningful scenes – as best as you can. Tread softly across the ground. Empty your mind of plans and deadlines. Silence the judging and questioning. Let nature distill your essence from out of the silence. Allow passion to rise in your chest. Experience the raw suspension of time brought about by communing with nature.

Protect your sanity, by taking time away in the real world. Allow yourself to sing or shout – alone out there in the wild. Release the pressure. Carry delight with you when you return to your “life”. Reflect upon the happiness you found simply being yourself – alone. Smile when you unwrap nature’s gift to you over and over each time you step outdoors.