Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. A civilization which destroys what little remains of the wild, the spare, the original, is cutting itself off from its origins and betraying the principle of civilization itself.
Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire
I mention on this blog quite often how vital it is for me to spend time outside the city limits to regain that something living in society seems to drain from me. And, those needed respites seem to have shorter intervals in between. So, it’s easy for me to relate to Ed’s quote and how prevalent it still is 54 years later. I worry for the wellbeing of our natural world and humanity itself. The separation between man and our natural world has been destructive and continues to widen. I am powerless to convince others of our situation so many are warning us about and for sure I’m unable to change them. I believe no laws and regulations will change them either, the change must come from within them. However, I can live my life as a message that spending time in nature is a necessity of the human spirit. Time in nature can show us how connected we all are. I can also voice my views here, and more than once. Maybe one person will hear and at least think about it. It could be that seed. Nature has so much to offer us physically, emotionally and spiritually.
2 Comments
Mark
I am frequently reminded of how distant people have become from their environment living in a mostly developed suburb of Detroit. Education may help some, but it seems once people have left, it is difficult to bring them back. So many other priorities get in the way – comforts, habits, privilege, prejudice, attitudes.
Monte Stevens
You may be correct in assuming that once people become accustomed to something it’s difficult to change them. I am a prime example, even to the point of suffering but not changing. You’ve given me some things to think about.