A "Thoreau" Inspiration

As I listened to my mom talk about my pastor's message yesterday, I came to realize the enormous amount of stuff we take for granted. Sometimes I feel like we are focusing way too much on the negatives and too little on the positives. For example, the economy SUCKS right now, we all know that, but we forget about the things that don't suck. I am healthy, I have an education, I can still have a good time with my friends, and play the piano, if I'm so inclined. These thoughts also lead me to consider mine and Daryl's conversations on Thoreau. Suddenly intrigued, I reread some passages from Walden and I became envious. I did not become envious of his desire to live without society for two years, but because he had discovered the key element to happiness: enjoying life in its natural state. 

I, personally, still consider myself awed by the sunset through my rear view mirror as I'm driving home. I find music in the birds chirping outside my window. And I indulge myself with brief walks through town, taking in as much fresh air as humanly possible. Thoreau made me realize, however, that I have not taken the opportunity to just sit and observe nature--it made me jealous and possibly disappointed in myself. After all, us modern humans are a new breed, but we did at one time survive on the existence of nature. At one time we were more intact with the nature around us, but technology and human advancement has somehow deemed this contact unnecessary. 

I now realize the urge that I have to crawl into nature, spread myself out on a rock, and just breathe in my surroundings. One of Thoreau's most notable observations in Walden was the ant colony. For hours and days, Thoreau peered over the abundant creepy-crawlers, awestruck by their lifestyles. How near and how far apart they really were from us humans. Wouldn't God want us to enjoy His creations? He didn't just create Man, after all. And what inexpensive enjoyment it would be! Unless you believe in the saying "time is money," for which you might disagree on giving up any of your time...  But what's an hour spent with nature? If anything you'll grow wealthier with appreciation of Mother Nature's accomplishments. This knowledge, to me, might be the most valuable thing we can attain. 

Ahh... to take a moment and just listen, watch, and be at peace. To lay upon a rock heated by the sun, to watch the friendly lizards basking, to feel the cool summer breeze as it drifts through the trees and ruffles their leaves, to hear a stream gurgling as fawn and chipmunks splatter themselves with water... to experience such a tranquility that has been untouched by the machines and weapons of mankind... it sounds just perfect. If only I could have my own cabin near a pristine pond where I could carelessly observe the castles God built in the sky.

^That's where I want to be!