A True Appreciation of Nature
Another morning here in suburbia.
Looking out our front window, I see our neighbors across the street, the one that have the best looking yard in the neighborhood. He and his wife spend countless hours making their yard immaculate.
They’re out there again, doing their due diligence.
But I see no joy in what they are doing. It looks more like a task that must be done.
And.. then I think… someday…
They will both be gone…
And nature will go back to naturing.
The new owner may keep up what they have done, or maybe not..
Will our neighbors spend their final moments praising themselves for their wonderful yard?
Good God … I sure hope not…
I found myself wondering, at just what point did we decide that manicured yards were important to our society (among other things).
Yes, they are pleasant to look at, I don’t deny that.
And I’m not talking about a backyard retreat that brings you comfort and a sense of well-being… at least I hope it does.
I’m talking about the front yard… the one you probably don’t use…the one that is…. your showcase.
America…
The right car.
The right suit.
The right hairstyle.
The right yard.
No thanks… been there… done that…
Personally, I rather go out and see what nature can do without our interceding.
Give me a National Park… give me an hiking trail… let me appreciate the wonder of this world that God had blessed us with.
I want to see those age old redwoods…
I want to see the enormity of the Grand Canyon again…
The Pacific Crest Trail… the Blue Ridge Mountains… The Badlands…
Not so much a neatly trimmed lawn…
We are visitors here… let’s be kind ones.
Not the ones that rearrange the kitchen to “help you out.”
Not the ones that don’t clean up after theirselves.
Be the ones that say “thank you” and make you feel appreciated. The ones that will be welcomed back again and again…
Be kind… even to, and especially to, nature. The gift that will always keep giving.
Now, to those of you that spend time on your yards, if it brings you joy, go for it. I’m totally with you.
But if it’s a chore, if your find your blood pressure rising, it you wonder how you ever wound up down this landscaping rabbit hole…
There are options.
I rather see my neighbors go on an adventure.
Yes, I like the way their yard looks…
But I rather see them happy.
