On Friday, September 9th, I woke up early and went for a run with my roommate. We drove to the Trinity River in silence, a quiet sadness filling the car. A week prior, Eliza Fletcher, a mom from Memphis, Tennessee, was taken during the early hours of the morning while running. This morning, my heart was heavy with my fellow Memphians, who were banding together to complete Liza’s run. We ran for a few miles alongside the river, and when we turned around we stopped to watch the sunrise. Although it was not one of the most beautiful sunrises I had ever seen, I felt comfort in knowing that even when bad things happen, the sun is still going to rise every morning. I think that nature is so calming because it is consistent. While some may argue that nature is destructive, as in the case of wildfires or tornados, the unpredictable chaos of the natural world is what makes it so predictable. Nature brings comfort to me because it allows me to put my own concerns in perspective and see the bigger picture.
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According to Edward Abbey, human life is “significant and unique and supreme beyond all the limits of reason and nature.” Abbey discusses his time spent alone in the desert, describing the discomforts and hardships of surviving in a world so distant from many of the conveniences we take for granted. I think that Abbey is so appreciative of life because he lives in a world where it can easily be taken away. I believe that nature helps us see the goodness in a world that appears to be broken beyond repair. It is difficult to see the good when we are surrounded by so many bad things. The news is flooded with negativity, and we see devastation daily. Abbey describes humanity as believing in the significance of our lives. Although we are constantly bombarded with these bad things, the bad only makes life more meaningful and precious.
Fortunately, we do not have to face these hardships alone. We have nature. Emily Dickinson describes nature as not only a source of divine comfort but also a place of religious experience. I think people go to Church and go out into nature for similar reasons – to find meaning. If we strive to fulfill our humanity, and humanity is believing in the significance of our lives, then the comfort provided by nature can help situate us within the world. I think that there are two opposing ways we can view ourselves within this context. On one hand, we can see ourselves as insignificant in the vast world. What is the point of a single life when viewing it from the distance of the milky way? On the other hand, we can acknowledge that each life is a miracle. What are the chances of you being here at this exact moment in space and time? One in a million? One in a billion? I think nature helps us see this perspective. When we go out into the natural world, we are able to place our concerns and discomforts in the context of a bigger picture, but this bigger picture also allows us to view the significance of our own lives.
Great, thoughtful post, thanks. It starts sad with the Memphis abduction. But I really like how you went on to state that nature helps us see goodness in the world, despite the negative news. I also really appreciate the connection you made to Dickinson. Nature as well helps us find meaning in the world. Really nice insights.
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