The Three Day Quote Challenge continues! I couldn’t NOT include a quote by naturalist and conservationist John Muir.
When I lived and worked in Houston, I would pack my lunch and go outside when it wasn’t too hot. Right next to our building was a large grassy area with park benches and a fountain.
Sometimes in the elevator a co-worker would ask me what I was doing. Many times I heard, “Wow, I’ve never done that.” Here was a lovely strip of nature right outside the office, and people frequently ignored it.
After many hiking vacations, we could no longer live indoors with air conditioning. The pull of fresh air and the woods grew too great, and we moved to western Washington where we could be outdoors as often as we want.
Doctors and mental health researchers, more and more, are looking at the physical and mental benefits of time in nature, and there are numerous articles such as this one online. Nature Deficit Disorder is a popular phrase these days after Richard Louv wrote Last Child in the Woods.
I don’t need a study, though, to tell me how much it matters for me to connect with the great outdoors every single day.
Outside, whether I’m in the garden or walking the many wooded trails that wind through our town, I am at peace. Some days I have to drag myself out there, but five minutes later I’m rejuvenated. Throughout my day, between bouts of writing or research, I’m out the door. Here, in a small town, I can connect with sunrises and sunsets, with equinoxes and solstices, with subtle shifts of temperature that tell me of a change in seasons or an early spring.
Maybe if our politicians and lobbyists spent more time outdoors, our national priorities would be different.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have berries to pick.
How about you? Do you get to spend time in nature? What’s your favorite outdoor activity?
Oh Boy, do I ever agree with you. I love being outside, but especially near the water. My rejuvenation is my walking my laps along the waterfront, up into town, and back to the waterfront. Along the waterfront I soak in the sights and sounds. I watch the bald eagle deal with the jealous seagulls and black birds. I can watch the seals or otters chase fish. I can simply soak in the beauty of the bay as I watch the boats gently bob up and down. I fill like a new person when I’m done. The best part is… Read more »
Sounds like an amazing place to live, and great that you appreciate it so much. Where I am the nature is tamer, rolling downland, butterflies and skylarks but beautiful in its own way. So I count myself fortunate. And there’s nothing better than walking to the top of the hill behind our house and gazing over the fields to the sea.
That sounds lovely! Nature is glorious wherever we find her, and love the diversity in different parts of the country.
What wonderful imagery! I feel as though I’m right there with you.
Maybe if our politicians and lobbyists spent more time out of Washington, our priorities would be different…
Amen, John!
I need to get out in nature more. And considering how close to a couple parks I live, there’s really no excuse.
It’s great that you have nature nearby to enjoy! I’ve gotten to the point where I can’t not get outside. If I am inside too long, I feel cooped up.