NATURE IS MY HOME

My father has always struggled with commitments, flitting from one poor decision to another like a butterfly trying to find a safe place to land. The older I grew, the less he landed, creating a hole in my life until, much like a wound, I closed myself off to what had hurt me. 

 In recent years that wound has reopened and healed for good. We found common ground where it once was, on the shores of a winding river, surrounded by tall trees. My childhood had been spent exploring the same vast expanses of rock and rushing currents, walking on sun-dappled paths and taking in the subtle, dusty scents of pine and damp soil. In his absence, I had nearly forgotten my deeply rooted passion for this environment. I continually find myself in this place; it is home to me in ways a house can never be. In my time spent in the woods I have learned to breath deeper, to look closer, and take every moment as it comes.

 It is in this place that my mind is at ease. There are no expectations. There are no lost hopes or forgotten promises. No fears can find me; all my worries fade away. In the woods, intricate thoughts come quickly, and can be recognized simply. Taking everything in is an experience that is altogether frightening and extraordinarily breathtaking. Everything we know is insignificant comparatively, but unmistakably important individually. 

 If there is one lesson learned from nature, it is that nothing stops. The river does not stop rushing; the world does not stop turning. Regardless of the forces acting upon it, life keeps going. My father knew this; I know it now.

 It is due to nature that I found my passions. I love observing other beings, whether it be a tree, another person or a slimy tadpole. I still find enjoyment climbing trees, catching frogs, and identifying birds. My anxious spirit is calmed by my surroundings and I constantly strive to find the importance in it all. Though these experiences cannot be kept forever, I attempt to capture them through the lens of my camera. 

 I think big thoughts; I dream big dreams. I want to make a difference, whether it be through preserving the environment or using words and photographs to help others. Nature is meaningful because it is my inspiration; it encourages me to live with purpose. 

Wherever I go, I will have those woods. I cannot leave it behind, and I would not choose to. Nature surrounds me and builds me up. Without it, I would be someone else entirely, which is why I strive to keep it safe. The outdoors has the power to unite people, to reopen and to mend. In nature I feel content and whole. In this way I can recognize that it is where I truly belong.