outside

this morning as i stepped outside, i found myself enveloped in warm, moist air. there was a faint smell of wood smoke, and all around, i heard birds singing. it was overcast, and with all the moisture in the air and diverse birdsong, it felt almost tropical out there. i consider myself lucky. my lifestyle allows me intimate contact with the natural world on a regular basis. i have to spend time outside every day, and over time, that contact nourishes something inside me, something that gives me strength and perspective and makes me feel at peace.

i worry about our kids. not just my kids, but our kids. many, too many of them, grow up in buildings. they are more connected to their electronic devices than other people or the natural world. they barely get to go outside; and even if they want to, often there's simply no time in their hurried day, as they get shuffled between school, different activities, and home. i worry for their physical and mental health, because i do believe that regular contact with the natural world is critical to their wellbeing. spending time outside, for many kids these days, is unusual rather than the norm. no other animal is as disconnected from their environment as we are raising our kids to be.

i hope that somehow, we, adults, turn this around, and give our kids the gift of being connected, less to electronic devices, and more to the natural environments they find themselves in. not asking to get rid of the electronics, i know that's unrealistic - just hoping for more balance.

this morning, i noticed tiny leaves starting to unfurl. the grass in noticeably greener too. before long, there will be an undeniable explosion of green all around.

peace