I am a country girl through and through, farm girl, not cowgirl. I come from old fashioned, hard working farm stock. I feel connected to nature, in fact, the most connected I have ever felt to God is directly connected to nature.
I am not a complicated person, I'm very simple and straight forward, not romantic at all, and probably too practical and logical for most people's liking.
I have a vague understanding of what it means to be connected to all living things, the coming from and going back to dirt. I wish it was a much clearer understanding, maybe if I live long enough....
That connection is never so real to me as when I can't be outdoors or when I can't enjoy being outdoors or when the sun doesn't shine. I begin to feel disconnected, restless, sad, depressed and lethargic.
For although we humans have become such civilized, sophisticated beings our need for the basics... air, water, earth, ought to tell us something about who we really are.
and what we really need.
No wonder our cities are full of such evil and unrest.. the people are cut off from .. well, life is the only word I can think of to describe it because to me it is life.
Seth and I walked in the snow together.
but, I need to sit with the sun shining on my face, to take my shoes off and feel the cool (not freezing)earth under my feet. I need to dig in the dirt and watch something come to life. I need to feel a gentle breeze, frogs singing their mating songs...
I am not just looking forward to spring. I need it.
4 comments:
I couldn't agree more with this post! Being outside, (outside in the country, not in town) is when I feel like I'm really alive. I do my best thinking when I'm on the seat of my dad's john deere tractor. When the world gets to be too much for me, when I need to stop the noise in my head, I crave going outside and laying in a quiet field and just being, letting it all go and just let the world wash over me. It's cleansing. I could write more, but I don't feel like words would do justice to the feelings that I have about being outside.
In Philadelphia, they have revitalized neighborhoods by creating community gardens, where people have an opportunity to connect with the land in the way you describe. They find in communities where people garden, crime decreases and community is formed. We have a community garden right across from our new rowhome, I am excited to be a part of it when we finally move.
Anj, that's really cool. I can't wait to read about your experiences there.
I feel exactly the same. After days without sun I begin to get restless and rejoice in even a few moments of sunlight. I miss the grass and can't wait to sit in the sanctuary of my backyard and listen to the birds and frogs.
Lately it's helped me to remember that this time of rest and recovery is what my part of the world needs right now. The snow will provide water that will grow the flowers. Soon, spring will be here and this cold frigid weather will be a distant memory.
Post a Comment