I will be bliss

Reflecting back on my childhood, my memories go something like this:

“I see racing down steep green hills and sprinting barefoot through dense forests. I see swimming in murky oceans and riding bikes through neighborhoods. I see jumping in pools fully clothed (and not fully clothed). I see cartwheels in empty fields and kissing boys behind the slide on the playground. I see catching fish off docks and climbing blooming mango trees. I see building forts in the backyard and splashing in puddles while rain poured around me. I see jumping on beds and impromptu battles with rotten bananas. I see (too many) shower-less nights and shaving cream fights. I see vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and chasing lizards down sidewalks. I see late night dance parties and tip-toeing out of bed while everyone slept. I see running through lawn sprinklers in the heat of summer and catching fireflies. I see plotting water balloon attacks and picking ripe blueberries during cool, breezy dusks. I see discovering shapes and faces in the clouds and watching rain droplets race across car windows. I see braiding friend’s hair and falling asleep to scary ghost stories.”

But what I don’t see… is the Home screen. What I don’t see, are the excessive pages of digital application tiles. What I don’t see, is my thumb and fingernail as it touches a virtual photo-filter setting, or heart next to a friend’s smiling profile picture.

I feel blessed to have been introduced to the world in such organic ways, and am grateful to have been exposed to it’s rawest, simplest beauties at a young age.

There was always something so freeing about the physical world to me. I was 100% that kid who didn’t like to brush her hair (or teeth), saw no issue with lathering myself in mud, and went on nightly scavenger hunts for neighborhood toads. I was curious about the physical world. And learned to love it without much fear. It provided me with days of adventure, exploration, and discovery that fueled my energy and boosted my imagination. There was something so trusting in my relationship with the Earth–for I knew it’s power was much grander than I, yet I felt so safe wrapped in its arms. A safety incomparable, and in my opinion, less fearful than the uneasiness I feel from behind a computer screen.

There is something so exposing about camping in a tent or hiking through the still, silent woods with only the wind talking. This feeling of exposure from nature usually turned into confidence and bravery, strength and courage, valor and tenacity within me. Whereas the exposure of posting a new profile picture surfaced feelings of insecurity and self-doubt, conceit and egotism, loneliness and defeat inside my soul.

I think what nature has taught me, is important for all of our children to learn…

…because it has the power to teach:

Confidence & Courage. It can teach us to explore ourselves. To find ourselves. Nature will not judge, so it can teach us to be who we are. It can lead us towards self-discovery. It can teach us to conquer our fears, and that bravery comes from within.

Determination. It can teach us to never give-up. To continue trying even if we fail. To stay hopeful, and that practice rewards improvement. It can teach us to be creative with our solutions. To use it’s lushness as our toolbox. And to recognize that with perseverance, we can accomplish anything.

Gratitude & Respect. It can teach us to honor each other. To stay humble within its omnipresent energy. It can teach us to be thankful. To live with appreciation. To feel blessed when there’s enough wind to fly a kite, and to feel grateful when the sky can melt your heart.

Love. It can teach us the value of a life. And can teach us the significance and beauty of all life. It can teach us to love and feel love back. It can teach us to expand our horizons, and to never stop identifying joy in the most minimal circumstances. It can teach us to trust. And it can teach us to feel compassion and lend out a helping hand. (Or lift a leg).

…but what can Netflix teach us?

How to get away with murder? How to make crystal meth? How to conceal adultery? How to deal cocaine? How to survive in prison? How to defeat a Demogorgon?

Which, I’m not saying these lessons aren’t important… In 2018-America we should be prepared for anything. (And also, no offense to all the fabulous, thought-provoking television programs out there–Shonda Rhimes and Winona Ryder, you my girls!)

And from a child’s perspective, don’t get me wrong, I am ALL for some Paw Patrol or Elena of Avalor (Rubble, you my dawg!). I definitely see the value and power in the many messages and concepts about the social world that television discloses, and that nature just can’t quite do. But I don’t want us to forget, that equally comparable lessons can come from reading a book under a tree, or listening to a podcast while you hike. The world isn’t exactly simple, and it’s overwhelming to keep up with the countless media channels that have real-time, “important” information to share.

But truly developing a deep love for this world involves WAY more than sharing another post on Facebook or tweet on Twitter… but it is about giving our planet the same time of day that we give our screens. It involves honoring it, learning from it, and loving it just as much as we like to swipe right or click follow.

And let’s always remember to teach future generations this love. And let’s help them love the physical world more than the virtual.

Watching this boy grow through nature is inspiring, and I feel confident that he will always have an appreciation for what has brought him new knowledge and joy. So often we show children love and support from within ourselves, but we should also show them the love and support that the natural world can offer them–for it is far greater and wider than what we alone can give.

FYI…