I’m doing it guys! Written and spoken posts each week! I have found that this isn’t difficult for me at all when I step back and see just how much I really do love to write and share my thoughts and lessons in life.
This post is all about getting out into the wild and the increasing importance of getting out into the wild today. It is no surprise that we live in a world filled with artificial noise, sight, smells, vibrations, and even tastes. All this artificial stimulus is overloading our brain and body chemistry making us feel disconnected, sick, tired, and confused.
If you are like me, you seek a solution to all this artificial input. Luckily, the wild is calling – mountains, forests, caves, deserts, state and national parks are calling! It’s time to heed their calls and head into the wild!
Even if you are limited to just one free day a week, use it to get away from the heavy blanket of artificial overload and soak in your closest (or farthest) wild environment.
“In wilderness is the preservation of the world.”
– Henry David Thoreau
I love this quote as I found it during a deeply transitory time in my life – backpacking Europe full of curiosity.
It reminded me then, as it does now, to step into the wild, without hesitation, without expectation, and there you will find yourself.
Reflected in nature is both our growth and vitality as well as doubt and decay.
Mirrored in the forests, cliffsides, mountain vistas, and expansive deserts is our reason to exist.
We are only separated from nature when we separate ourselves; there is no natural inclination to move away from these scenes, and that allure is artificial.
Also, every known invention man has conceived was found in nature, being used by other animals and insects long before we showed up (I included a few of those inspirations in the links below).
Why do we feel at such ease in such places? Discomfort is sure to bubble up, too, but beneath that, we are oddly complete, away from the buzzing lights, sounds, smells, and the feeling of pressure.
In retrospect, I was deeply fortunate to grow up in an active, adventurous family, observing the wild while hiking, biking, skiing, climbing, camping, and road-tripping all over the world.
My parents were actively seeking discomfort way before I was born, and they instilled in us wee children how important that feeling is.
I remember as a child following my mother on a pair of skis in a naughty blizzard somewhere in the Alps. At some point, I lost all sight of her and fell into a massive tree well. It was pretty unclear what happened next, but I was told a ski patrol guy found my skis sticking up just barely above the snow, and he saved my life and helped me down the mountain.
Now, was this careless parenting or just bad luck? Maybe a little of both, but hell, I survived to tell the tale and I would have rather had a mother lose me on a mountain than lose me in the mall any day (the latter happened too of course, I was one curious child).
But so many other memories camping with the fam or spending the whole day out on a long hike or out in the open ocean taught me so much about myself and my ability to appreciate nature.
Nature restores us. It does not judge or criticize, but it does provide and support us endlessly, if only we listen to it attentively.
I can’t encourage you enough to get out. I mean way out. Into the wild. Away from noise pollution, light pollution, and pollution pollution.
Go on a hike, go camping, go rock climbing, throw a hammock up, or just be present in the preservation of the world. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Every time I share my blubbering stream of consciousness, I am reminded of why. To all that have read and continue to read my posts, I thank you for that.
As always, feel free to leave a comment or share this post. You can also Buy Me a Coffee if you are inclined to do so. Thank you in advance!
Three More Things
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