“Each of us is an artist of our days; the greater the integrity and awareness, the more original and creative our time will become.” John O’Donohue
Thought I would share a few reasons I enjoy spending more time in nature, whether that’s dreaming of living in an RV or taking a short drive to one of the natural areas near me. Some of these I’ve written about before so I apologize if I’m repeating myself.
Connection: My experiences in nature have always brought a deeper feeling of connection with nature. Connection with nature is a pleasurable experience for me. Sometimes I wonder if we are drawn closer to nature as we age, with some unconscious knowing we are nearing our time of returning to the earth. Finding a greater separation from the busyness of the city brings a deeper connection with nature. The connection includes not just observing through sound, smell, touch and sight but I also talk to creation. I used to see that as weird but seems so natural to me at this stage of life.
Solitude: Solitude is a vital part of my spiritual life. As an introvert the solitude helps recharge my batteries. I like my condo and consider it a place of solitude, a sanctuary, but there are those times I must move away from the comforts it brings and the external noises around me.
Silence: I find a deeper silence by driving to some place in the country where there is less man-made noise, allowing for the sounds of nature to dominate and heal. Once I passed the 60 year mark I needed fewer days listening to traffic, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, refrigerator, furnace, and trash trucks.
Journaling: Journaling is also a part of my spiritual life and a daily exercise. What few times I’ve missed journaling was due to hospital vacations or where words could not be heard from within. I also find the writing on this blog to be fun and enjoyable. I was a horrible English student as a youth and disliked reading and writing. Now both reading and writing make up a majority of day. Never thought I would enjoy reading poetry but find I do, even venturing into attempts at writing in a poetic form.
Photography: Photography is a real interest or goal for time in nature. I have loved nature photography since I was a teenager with my first twin lens reflex camera. Over time, photography has help develop what some call the eye of the heart, so that I see nature from a new place. A much larger world for me to experience.
Discovery: There is a world to discover beyond the small world many of us spend most of our time living in. For many years I chose my world that consisted of a cubicle with a paycheck. There are new horizons of discovery and adventure yet to be seen and fully experienced. Time in nature helps me stay alive as a fulltime student.
And, what are yours, if you care to share?
May we be the artists of our days! 😎❤️
8 Comments
Tom Dills
Before I retired I thought of any time away as an escape from the stresses and pressures of work. Now that I’m not working, I see getting out – especially in nature but really getting away to anywhere – as a change of scenery and a chance for adventure. Sometimes just driving down a different road or taking a different route to a familiar place is enough. Sometimes getting in the car and heading out on the road is the thing. I’d probably have to admit to all of the items you mentioned, but those two are the biggest – change of scenery and a sense of adventure!
Monte Stevens
A change of scenery and adventure are important for all of us, part of our essence. I see that in your desires to travel. I drove out in the car yesterday for just the scenery and the adventure.
Cedric
Artists of our days, that has a nice ring to it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Monte. I too like nature and spending time in its embrace. But your post stymied me a little. When I started to think of reasons I found myself unable to come up with any. While I do not seek turmoil and sadness anymore than I seek peace and happiness, I find that it is in the former that I find the challenge of growth and understanding. Finding beauty in nature, well, there’s no “finding” it, it’s just there, all around. You would need some sort of psychological blindness not to see it and feel it. In any case, I am someone who believes that life quietly conspires to make us happy and that it does so through beauty, what I call authentic beauty (as opposed to prettiness). It is the kind of beauty that surrounds us everywhere but which get filtered our by our judgements, biases and prejudices. I guess I like the challenge of seeing this beauty in the raucousness and turmoil of city life, of finding solitude in the crowds, hearing silence in my own head, and so find less of a need for nature. My batteries are recharged by the small awakenings of these small, random recognitions.
Anyway, I doubt I am making much sense and I don’t want to prattle on as I often do. I appreciate these posts Monte. You offer a refreshing perspective. I hope you continue to travel to your new horizons for many years to come.
Monte Stevens
I so needed to read your comment. In fact I’ve had to read it several times because it does make “perfect” sense. I have for many years been one to wander the streets of the city for images, the experiences, the people and the solitude that can be found there. I have spent countless hours in coffee shops journaling and reading while the “raucousness and turmoil” around me is silenced in the subconscious. Seems I may be forgetting how much I need to know silence is what we carry within us rather than some place to go. I am also impressed how you look at it as a challenge. Thanks for reminding me.
Mark
I believe taking time for awareness is a key piece of advice here. We get busy doing day to day things, and time just slips by. Heck, I am realizing it just in how many of your posts I’ve missed. Where did that time go?!
I can relate to each of these as I’m sure they are somewhat common to many introverts. Silence is a big one for me. I crave it often. Since I’ve been home for the past couple months recovering, it can be hard to come by with the noises of suburbia. Too many lawn mowers, weed rackers and neighbor endless house projects going on. Even the hum of that refrigerator is bugging me as I type this.
Monte Stevens
I agree that I at times get lost in busyness and lose sight of awareness. Silence need not exclude our awareness. I crave silence also and is what I probably really am referring too.
I had to laugh in reading your comment because I headed to a local coffee shop to sit outside and journal. But when I got there I was met with an elderly (my age) gentleman walking around with a gas powered leaf blower strapped to his back, breaking any possible silence within 50 feet.
Glad you can relate.
Mark
Sometimes it seems there is no escape, except if you have a Class B (or settle for a car and a tent) you can haul out into the middle of the wilderness for awhile. 😉
Monte Stevens
I’m still dreaming!