A few years ago I needed new brakes installed on my truck. It was going to take a couple of hours so after dropping off the truck I walked down the street to a nearby coffee shop. As I walked along, I realized I was not in direct contact with the earth for that four-block walk. I was always on concrete or asphalt, never touching the earth. It also involved car exhaust, pedestrian lights and unnatural noises. Any and all plants around me were placed there by the designer. It caused me to wonder how much we have lost touch with nature?
Most of us know about our National Parks but many of us take our natural areas for granted and in some cases don’t even realize they exit. We are lucky to have these places of wonder and beauty to explore and take in. Yet, many of us make plans to watch a movie on the new 54 inch HD screen, or meet up with friends to pound down a few micro-brews, or play a game on our computer or Game-boy or work on a project we brought home from the office. I’ve spent my time doing all of them. It just seems to me our society has moved away from nature, placing ourselves in heated and air-conditioned buildings, our own created worlds?
I’m lucky to have the Metro Parks near my apartment here in the Columbus area. In 15 minutes I can be walking the trails of Blendon Woods Park or enjoying the flowers along the paths in Inniswood Gardens. They never seem to be crowded. I’m surprised how many people I meet walking or jogging the paths in our natural areas are plugged in and tuned in to their favorite music while missing the Meadowlark singing it’s distinct call, or the woodpecker hammering away on it’s favorite tree, or the chirping of the squirrels as they play their games of tag or the wind whispering through the trees.
I like to spend time on a bench along one of the trails to listen and watch nature. I only have one channel to select from and the reception is excellent. The concerns of work, bills, wars, taxes, oil spills, all seem far away and in another world. I enjoy the natural areas near my apartment and, as some of you already know, I use them often to step away from the busy world. And another question that often comes to mind is: what would it have been like 200-300 years ago when there were no paths or concrete or asphalt?
14 Comments
Steve Skinner
Yogi Berra may not have been talking about nature but he brings the point home when he said, You can observe a lot by just watching.”
Monte Stevens
And, watching is what we do.
Earl
Monte, like you I tend to use my time alone among nature as an escape from the worries and daily stresses. it refreshes and recharges a part of me. I can’t see bringing all that along with me with earbuds plugged in.
I like the calming effect of this photo and can only imagine the wilderness that was available hundreds of years ago. It would have been something to see.
Monte Stevens
I sometimes wonder if I was born a couple hundred yeas late. I see your connection with nature through your images and philosophy of life. It’s something inside.
pj
Excellent post Monte. Regular, intimate contact with the natural world is essential for the mind and body and spirit of us humans. We can’t get to know our world electronically, or through the pages of a book, or from a calendar on the wall. We need to get out there, and we need to protect wild places so we can do that.
Monte Stevens
Yes, we do need the contact and probably more often than we do. I just saw part of a program the other day about the wild land of Siberia. Some places where man has never set foot. If allowed man will abuse it.
David Leland Hyde
Great photograph and good points in your post. The framers of the Wilderness Act knew that someday future generations, or at least a certain segment of the generations would appreciate having natural places to visit and find solace. There have been studies and books written about how our divorce from nature is the cause of much of our society’s angst. We can each remember that on a personal level when life gets crazy. From my father landscape photographer Philip Hyde’s artist statement, “A mind at peace may be found in any individual or people who have kept touch with what the land is saying and who lack the benefits of instant dissemination of the human troubles that make news.”
Monte Stevens
Thanks, David, I like that artist statement. Powerful!
QPB (Mary Ann)
Very nice photo, enjoyed the essay thoughts as well. Nature is my best medicine, good for just about anything that ails me. Thanks. Hope you had a peaceful weekend.
Monte Stevens
Yes, I did have a peaceful weekend. I start a 4-day trip in the morning. I enjoy it when you stop by and leave a comment. It’s also good medicine when friends stop by and leave comments. Hope you guys have a super week!
Ken
Excellent post, Monte, and beautiful image. I live near a park that I never tire of exploring. It’s good medicine for the weary.
Monte Stevens
It’s good hear you live near a park and use it. 2-3 trips a week seems like the minimum for me.
Aswirly
This is absolutely beautiful how you captured the falling leaves and the green trees together. A beautiful post too. I know what you mean too. Society is a distraction from natural beauty for sure. Many of my friends have no clue how pretty the area we live in is. It makes me sad. I love my electronics and my music, but when I’m out in nature It feels like a crime to put on headphones…
Monte Stevens
I too enjoy my electronics but strive to keep them from controlling me and my life or attachment. Instead of checking out of life and into a ipod or gameboy we need to live in the present.