My dad's take on nature (W. Bewick, 2014, Acrylic on canvas) My camera does not do it justice.
Nature is truly all around us. My husband and I have some pretty intense discussions around what nature actually is. I have the idea that it is only that which is wild, the undeveloped (by humans) land that surround us, he thinks nature is everywhere. Lately, I have been able to see what he means. Are we not ourselves, nature? In that case, a paved parking lot made of crushed mountain rocks can be a natural space, especially when you notice the weeds pushing through the cracks. Being an urban-dweller, I spend plenty of time in the concrete jungle longing for the forest. This year, having the privilege of spending time in the forest, I noticed how afraid I was being out there alone and was longing for the “safety” of the city!!! What I realized was that it was just the security of the known versus the unpredictability of the unknown. As the year went by and I went for more and more solo walks in a great big forest, it became less frightening. (For the record though, cougars still scare the crap out of me.)
I’ve always been intrigued by the lessons of nature. The biggest one for me being the lessons of death and rebirth and the ability of nature to abide completely in the very centre of presence, with no judgement, no shame, just unabashedly itself. Being in nature helps sync my mind with this energy and calm everything, just like hanging out with someone who is really grounded chills me out. They say like energy attracts like energy and I would go further to say any energy draws out the same energy. Reading The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv has been incredible to fuel my desire to not only immerse myself in natural experiences, but to bring my kids along for the ride. Expanding my definition of what constitutes true nature has also been a worthwhile exploration. Does nature only exist outdoors? If I’m indoors, how can I bring nature inside with me or is it already there? How do I abide in nature while living in the doldrums of urbanity?
In the rare moments of inactivity, I am able to realize the nature state that exists within me all the time. In the more common stretches of action that permeate my day, the constant doing that we all know so well, it’s easy to forget that centre that connects us all with everything that surrounds us. It’s those times when it’s particularly important to refill the reservoir by dipping into the forest bath, so to speak. Then I can return to the truth that we are connected to the asphalt in the parking lot, we are connected to the pine trees in the forest and we are most certainly connected to life everywhere. It’s that joining that can bring nature to you wherever we are. But for now, I’m headed outside, how about you?
