The Nature of Things...

As we walked the board walk around the lake, my companion remarked to me something to the effect that you never see a sad or angry face on the people that we pass or that pass us when out enjoying nature.  I hadn’t thought about it really until he said something but I think there is something to it.  Whether out for a walk, a run, a bike ride, walking the dog, there is something about nature that soothes us and takes away for just a little while the cares of the world.  Often we are told by our therapists to get out into nature.   And nature is something we can enjoy whether we are with someone or by ourselves.   I believe these are the reasons that we have a tendency to create parks and green spaces in our city.   In her futuristic novel, THE FIFTH SACRED THING, Starhawk has created a San Francisco that has been turned into a park, a garden, and a farm all in one.  Streams meander through the neighborhoods.  It is a beautiful vision, that she contrasts with southern California, which has become a military industrial state that is smog, cement and metal.  
We all have our specialities.  I can see birds and recognize them.  My companion hears even the smallest birds beautiful song.  Another friend recognizes both small and large wildflowers and if she doesn’t know it, she works diligently to identify it.   Often people see a photograph I have taken of a bird, for example, and they ask about it, what it is and where I found such an exotic bird.  They are amazed when I tell them I took it in the park next to the area they live.   It took a photograph for them to notice something they have literally right in front of them.  
If you are troubled, if you simply have a stressful life you might look for a park or a green area to take a walk or go sit and listen for the birdsong or just think.   Take your children out and point things out to them.   Show them there is more to nature than chopping trees down or digging for oil.   Learn for yourself and then teach them what nature can do for them.  Actually the children these days just might teach us.