What Nature Means to me?

   Nature Gives Me Peace.

One of the best experiences I had in nature was while I was in California for Memorial Day weekend with my family.  I had a blast hiking in the San Bernardino Mountains and swimming in the ocean.   After our long drive we arrived at the beach and ran to shore.  

My little sister skipped around in the sand, where the tide chased her until she was on higher ground. I joined in the excitement and slowly walked toward the roaring waves on the wet sand.  I kept walking into the splashing waves until I could barely touch.  Then the tide came and heavy waves poured out hundreds of gallons of waters on my head.  I collapsed underneath the weight and was tossed and pushed as the waves wrapped around me like the air on the earth. 

Quickly I would roll back onto my feet and hurry to the shore.  If I wasn’t quick enough the waves would pull me back into deeper waters.  When I had my fill of fun, I sat in the sand and enjoyed the view.  The palm trees were so tall and the leaves were so big.  Looking at the palm tree, I was filled with courage and coolness.   I marveled that the tall, skinny tree could withstand the wind and the waves that would crash against it.  I stared out over the water and realized how small I was, and that the world was great.  So I thought God must be much greater and more beautiful.    As David Thoreau said, “My profession is to always find God in nature.”                                              

              I remember looking down and seeing a little crab in the sand and a small flock of seagulls walking a couple feet away from us.  I was so amazed.  Each seagull and crab was important in its own way.  It might be beautiful or ugly, but it does what it was designed for and tells us to remain strong, firm and calm.  I remember seeing the sea gulls soaring and swooping low in the wind, and seeing the sun set in the sky.  The sunset colors advanced from a few beautiful blues into an epic colorful masterpiece of crimson reds, dazzling gold, creamy pinks and oranges, and a few thin purple clouds.  We roasted hotdogs and s’mores on the shore.  When it was dark I walked back to the waves.  I stared up at the awesome grey and blue clouds and stars in the night sky.  A few white shimmers reflected on the water from the moon.  

After our week of adventures in California we headed back home.  We stopped by the Grand Canyon to see one of the wonders of the world.  We found a good lookout spot to see the view.  I stared out into the depths of the blue, tan and red Grand Canyon walls. 

I was filled with peace and wonder.  I thought about how the world could be without all the chaos and business.   I looked at the rocks.  They were so calm and wonderful and still.  I could focus all my attention on the beauty that was around me.  I was not focusing on myself and my problems.  I did not have to worry about other people or work.  The rocks were saying, “look how wonderful I am and how great your God is.”  Just like poet Sylvia Plath said, “I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery-air, mountains, trees, and people.  I thought.  This is what it is to be happy.”

Life seemed clear and I had a purpose.   When I looked at the huge Canyon I knew myself and I knew God.  I saw the divine creativity and the power of God.   He seemed closer and I felt so free.  I will take those sights and thoughts with me wherever I go.  I had to take those memories with me.  I had to remember them anytime I got too busy or started suffocating in the overcrowded city.

As Edward Abbey said, “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.”   Imagine not having this necessity.  No wilderness, no exploring, no plant life, no flowers and no food.  I really wanted to stay in Arizona but I forced myself to leave.  Yet, I decided that I will return one day and hike down into the deep mysterious place below.

I found out that being in nature reduced my stress and anxiety about the future.  I was a just a small detail in the epic plan of life.   However, just like every crab, palm tree, or sea gull is important and part of a big picture, I am too.  Wildlife and its wonders refresh me by reminding me of my importance.   Nature gives me hope, strength, and mostly a lot of peace.