Nature opens the heart
The joy in greeting our kin with our inner 4 year old
Yesterday I was greeted by a new friend at the beach. And rather than being scared I immediately walked right in the water towards it because I knew what it was, an old “friend” from graduate school. It immediately swam right up to me and I had to keep backing up to avoid bumping into it since I didn’t want to spook it (which meant ink everywhere in alarm to escape). I was so delighted to see this Sea Hare that it brought me right back to my days studying and teaching about marine life.
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Do you know why I love teaching people about nature? Their eyes light up when they connect to an animal or a tree or the water/land in a more personal way. You can see the excited four year old come out to play when they see a Sea Hare swimming for the first time or discover the critter that is still living in a shell.
That light is their soul peeking out in joyful recognition of meeting another open-hearted living being. All of nature is just waiting for us to connect in this way.
And I love witnessing people come alive in that moment because building that connection to nature means you never feel alone, even in the middle of a vast wilderness. The mockingbird is singing hello, the squirrel is telling you to move on, and the trees are delighted to share their shade with you. An Moana style, you can even find the water is ready to play with you, when you meet it with respect.
I sometimes forget I’ve been teaching about marine science for 25 years because lately I’ve just been teaching my kids. I started with summer camps and aquarium tours at Mote Marine Aquarium, then as a volunteer with Biscayne National Park’s science program, next as a Park Ranger at Everglades National Park in Key Largo, then working for conservation organizations as an advocate.
But lately I’m remembering how important education is for overcoming fear. When our mind doesn’t understand something, it will create fear to protect us from getting hurt “Eeek, what is that, don’t get near it!”. And fear usually overrides the courage of the heart.
So the more we learn how to meet nature with respect and awe, the more our heart has the courage to try new things. And the more our brains and bodies will enjoy the healing, joyful benefits of connecting with the world around us.
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