Recently, on a flight from Los Angeles to Boston, we flew over California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado before the clouds moved in. As always, I was sitting on a window-seat, and I was amazed at the scene unfolding underneath. The geology of the landscape below us was astounding, especially while flying over Utah. Although I have been to Utah several times, and flown over it, I still get spellbound by the beauty that the nature presents to us.
What was equally amazing was how few people were watching the drama. Only three out of fifty or so windows on the airplane were open. The rest were closed and remained so for the whole flight. The cabin remained dark even in broad daylight. As the entertainment system was not working, even that was not the reason for people not to enjoy what was going on. It must be that the fellow travelers were absorbed in their electronic devices…smart phones and laptops.
This is a big problem, and it starts when the potential user of the addictive and attention-grabbing device is young, say in a high school. One of the non-profits I work with is trying to do something about it. They want to introduce nature to these youngsters, not in a scientific way, but as a place you go to for relaxation and peace of mind. Most of these kids don’t have an easy way to enjoy nature, and so, this non-profit takes them to parks and hiking trails that are all around the city. The program has been successful and now some organizations have started retaining this non-profit to introduce their employees to the same pleasure. A happy and peaceful employee is more productive than the one who sits in front of the screen the whole day.
To me, personally, being out in nature is where I am happiest. Fortunately, the place we live in allows this to happen, with very little time spent in getting to hiking trails and enjoying nature. I feel good when I am on a trail going up a hill or on a mountain overlooking the scenery underneath. Some of my fondest memories are the hikes and treks we have done over the years and all around the world.
The other way nature provides me happiness is through photography. I can, and do take photos of landscapes, of course, but equally important to me are photos of small things…a bud, a petal, a leaf, or a bird. All taken in one of our nearby gardens with a telephoto lens. Nature comes in infinite variety, and I am just a recorder.
I just wish I can impart the same level of enthusiasm and passion for nature to my fellow travelers in this life.
All they need to do is just open the window.
