Does This Make Me a 'TreeHugger?'
Yesterday my family and I ventured into the peaceful meadows and historic groves of the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens. It was absolutely picteuresque and lovely-- the sun was shining, the Santa Ynez range peaked majestically in the background, and I could feel the life in the air. I have never been a 'Nature Fanatic,' meaning I don't usually enjoy month-long backpacking trips, or uni-bomber style shack abodes in the middle of the woods. However, I am beginning to allow an acceptance and appreciation of the energy Nature can bring into life. Its really important to me to be able to soak in the beauty of even an average day and acknowledge its presence even when studying, office work, and overcast days get in the way. As we walked through a meadow filled with vibrant California Poppies and other wildflowers drifting softly in the breeze, I couldn't help but verbalize my urge to embrace it all. I then turned to my Suster, and said, 'Do you ever just want to hug a plant?' She gave me a 'wtf' stare and said, 'No! All the bugs and dirt!' Normally I would have said the same, but today I totally would have hugged a tree if it weren't for the fact that it probably would have made me asthmatic. I wanted to lie down in the meadow, but I knew that hives, itching, and general malaise would follow, as well as harsh words from the Garden staff.
Its times like these when I begin to wonder why, with all the love and respect I have for the beauty of Nature, I cannot seem to make changes in my life that would help to better preserve it. This is really important to me, yet I do not want to become a stereotypical self-righteous-hippie-vegan-hemp-clothed-freak.
Even so, I am trying to figure it out. When it comes down to it, its all about priorities anyways.
P.S. If this entry seemed out of character for me (note the lack of biting sarcasm, sharp wit, and general quirkiness) do not fret, for I only tend to crap out entries like this every once and a while.
Its times like these when I begin to wonder why, with all the love and respect I have for the beauty of Nature, I cannot seem to make changes in my life that would help to better preserve it. This is really important to me, yet I do not want to become a stereotypical self-righteous-hippie-vegan-hemp-clothed-freak.
Even so, I am trying to figure it out. When it comes down to it, its all about priorities anyways.
P.S. If this entry seemed out of character for me (note the lack of biting sarcasm, sharp wit, and general quirkiness) do not fret, for I only tend to crap out entries like this every once and a while.