Nature Calls
Dear Friend,
There are so many things to love about nature: the beauty, the complexity, the scale (both small and large), the resources it provides, the feeling of being connected to something greater than ourselves. It is mysterious, bewildering, often terrifying, and yet simple all at the same time. However, in our opinion, the best part about nature is that it is unconditional.
Moving into a van has made it more apparent than ever that we live in a society where nothing is free. We can’t simply live without a cost. Water, food, shelter, and even finding a place to park your car often comes at a cost. In many cases it is for good reason. Time, resources, and human labor are required to make those things available, and so it only makes sense that the costs of modern comforts should be shared by all. Even beyond the monetary aspect, things like relationships and social contracts also require something of us. We have to follow certain rules and norms to be accepted by society. If we want others to give us their time, we must also be willing to give them ours. With everything that is expected of us, it's hard not to feel overwhelmed by the pressure. Pressure to perform, to always be doing something to contribute, to add value, and to earn our place in the world.
But this isn't the case with nature. Nature doesn’t care whether we paid our bills on time or if we accidentally said the wrong thing. The moon doesn’t ask us what we do for work or how much we make. It doesn’t cost anything to watch the sunset or to gaze up at the stars. The trees give oxygen to us all, no matter where we're from, or what mistakes we’ve made, or what we choose to believe. Rivers flow despite the way we treat them. The smell of a flower is free to all who pass by, even if it's growing on someone's property or for sale at a store. The sound of waves crashing against the shore cannot be muted.
And on days when we feel like we are struggling to keep up with all of life’s demands, nature’s unwavering presence has a way of reminding us that we’re already enough.
Out in nature, love doesn’t come with conditions. Acceptance doesn’t require effort. Peace doesn’t need to be earned.
The mountains and forests existed long before us and will continue to exist long after we are gone. We’re only a brief moment in the timeline of this planet, and somehow that smallness feels freeing. Whenever it feels like you're about to be crushed beneath the weight of the entire world, remember that you can always rely on the unending strength and beauty of nature to lend you an unconditional, helping hand, free of charge.
Always with love,
Court + Tim
This reflection was inspired by our aunt’s new journal — Forest Bathing Anywhere by Jeanne Bonanno. You don’t have to give up all your possessions, quit your job, and live in a van to experience these gifts. If you’re looking to create a deeper connection with nature without taking such drastic steps, we highly recommend checking it out! In it, she explains how anyone, even someone living in the center of a busy, bustling city, can learn to disconnect and experience the magic of nature.
