Nurture with Nature

The power of nature to reduce stress is becoming increasingly recognized. I can certainly attest to this. Whenever I come back after a camping trip with family and friends, I always feel energized, calm and happy. I never grew up camping. Our family never went camping when I was growing up. My husband, who did a lot of mountain climbing and hiking in his youth was the one who got me enthusiastic about camping. No, I am not the hardcore backpacker, hike-to-a-primitive-campsite camper. I wish I had the strength to do that now. But even with car camping, just being close to nature does wonders to my well-being. To be honest, there are times when I am lazy to go. Those are the times when I have to rely on the energy of family and friends to get me out of the comforts and solitude of home. But even during those times when I was reluctant to go, when I come back home, I never regretted going in place of a lazy weekend at home.

Being around nature gives us more opportunities to experience awe. In the past decade, psychologists have been looking into the science of awe and its positive psychological, physiological and social effects, It is a very human experience to feel awe and more often, we experience this feeling when we are around nature. I find that even the silence of nature can elicit awe.

For some reason, living amidst nature reminds me of Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata. The words, “You are a child of the universe”, elicits in me a feeling of awe. I am but a small speck in the vast universe but at the same time, the same atoms that make up the universe is in me. The image that comes to mind when I read this poem is a young person looking up at the stars. So I thought I would write my thoughts on the matter of camping with quotes from the Desiderata.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

I go and live outdoors because I want to get away from the noise of city life. To go where you can feel the sound of the breeze unaltered. To go where the sky is not polluted by man-made lights. Where the moon when full, rules majestic, and when hidden, lets the stars and the milky way take center stage. I go where there are no buildings competing with nature’s landscape. So I get to relax my eyes and ears.

I go to know that I can make do with the little I have and still be happy. To escape the clutter of things. I cook only what I need to eat. I don’t need fancy clothes. I can eat from a metal plate. I am reminded that I don’t need a lot of things and I feel free.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons from yourself.

I go for the friendship, and to make connections. There are no cell phone signals, no TV, no wi-fi connections. The only connections made are the connections with family and friends. Each person has a a role and contributes to the well being of the camp regardless of their background. We talk, laugh, work together towards a meal and clean up afterwards. It builds teamwork. After being with the same people a few times, each person knows instinctively what needs to be done without saying anything. At the end of the day we gather around the campfire to share jokes and stories without judgement.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

I go because I like the planning and thinking that is involved in the logistics of a trip.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

I go to have fun but at the same time welcome the entropy that governs all things and to be with people who are willing to welcome it in good spirits. There are days with rain, days with bugs, days with thick clouds, days when the food burns, your tent gets wet, your clothes get wet, your tent collapses or gets blown away. Many things can go wrong because they are not tailor-made and wrinkle-free days. It may be that those mishaps may even be the days that will be well-remembered with a smile because we made it and had a laugh.

Aftermath of a thunderstorm. A tent once stood here. This one says “Padre Island Survivor”

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

I go to discover new places. But I also revisit the places I have been to before, because each time, there will always be something unique. A stronger breeze so it took longer for the food to cook. The air may be colder. An animal sighting. A flock of birds overhead. A passing thunderstorm. A new path to hike. A full moon. A meteor shower. A dark sky filled with stars. Spring, summer, fall, winter.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

I go to spend time with my family. It is time spent unencumbered. I go to be with my son during his youth before he goes off on his own path. I can always rewind back to the memory when I saw him learn how to pitch his own tent and put it away afterwards. I was with him gazing at the night sky, learning from him as he identified the constellations and talk about the mysteries of the universe. It was better than staying home and watching the shows on the National Geographic channel. And then I saw him learning more about life from other adults in the camp.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

I go because it is good for the soul.
And while I still have the strength to go.

Whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world.