Nature, the greatest teacher
What is your relationship with Nature?
What do you define as nature?
For me, a big part of nature used to be defined between "inside" and "outside". Where there were animals, plants, creatures that only belonged in one or the other camp.
But as I've gotten more years under my belt, I've shifted my view. I've realized how more similar Nature is to every aspect of my life.
For example, when we breathe as humans, we expel carbon dioxide and intake oxygen. Plants and the ocean take our CO2 and expel O2 for us to breathe.
Another example, every cell in our body, each individual unit, has a unique vibration and "sound" that makes it work as a whole organ. Like a symphony of wind, string, and percussion instruments. Every snowflake has a unique design and thus a unique vibration.
Our digestive track works alongside bacteria as it facilitates nutrient absorption, while snaking its way along from the stomach to the small then large intestines.
This is similar to how fungi work symbiotically with tree roots, ingesting insects, animals, and even fecal debris to feed itself and the tree belong to thrive.
Animals are merely reflection of what humans could have evolved into, but decided along the way that we wanted opposable thumbs
So I guess my relationship with Nature is PERSONAL. It is outside of me, it is within me, it is me. I go on vacation to bond more with nature sites. Learn about their home and ecosystem to bring awareness to how my action may impact theirs. Nature and Humanity are so interwoven its hard to deny it. Even metal originates from the earth. The subtle vibrations from each aspect of Nature can be sensed if we're quiet enough to witness it.
I take the opportunity to study Nature as a way to study Humanity. It offers a gentle approach to body language, non-verbal communication, and how to offer help thats meaningful instead of "fluff and buff". I'm fortunate I can live so close to the ocean, forests, mountains, and farms where I can experience different ecosystems to learn from. As well as have a little (a lot!) of fun.
So I ask again- How do you feel about Nature?
