Ancient and Reciprocal Relationship

It’s easy to find a list of reasons why humans need time in nature, from physical

development and health, to emotional well-being, to intellectual curiosity and problem

solving skills, to social and even religious encounters. It’s heartening to see a spotlight

shining on the importance of relationship between humans and the more-than-human

world. This suggests reciprocity and moves us toward a mindset of stewardship rather

than a tendency among many (Western) cultures to dominate and manipulate.

There are layers to this discussion, books written, studies conducted. However, we can

sum it up by saying: We humans need time in nature – since we are intrinsically part of

nature – to continue to develop as humans and to protect the source of life that enables

us to be human.

This seems fundamentally simple, and yet as a species, we are not always – even often

– demonstrating that we understand and practice this connection to nature. Quite a few

humans seem to have lost their ability to relate to nature, let alone act as stewards of it.

And the more I immerse myself in nature-based education, the more I see the stark

contrast between those who would be willing to hug a tree and those who don’t know

where to find one. Somewhere in the middle, I suppose, lies the human who is aware of

the disconnect between their techno-centric world and what lies just outside their door.

They are at the threshold of a potential transformation – theirs and the natural world

they could soon touch. With a little nudge, they might recognize themselves in the

image staring back at them from a puddle or the footsteps crunching fall leaves along a

path. And in this recognition begins hope for the preservation of an ancient and

reciprocal relationship between the human and the rest of the natural world.

Nudge: Spend 10 minutes outside today noticing something in nature that you had not

noticed before.