The Split - Civilization Sickness

Over the years, I have felt that a large problem people have in their lives is there is no real release or way to unwind from their day.  People go to bars to drink alcohol to “relax” and forget their day.   Then repeat it all tomorrow.  Or go to a friend’s house to watch the game on tv, and so on.  There is not a release.  That does not recharge you.  After about two hours in the city,  I become agitated and short.  So, when we have to run to the city to stock up on essentials, I can last about two hours before I have my fill of the city.  Some would consider it a town, but to me, it is a city—the traffic congestion—bad drivers.  People are roaming through whatever store you’re in and not paying attention to who they cutoff or wander into; just generally inconsiderate of those around them.  Mindless.  You don’t have that in the woods.  I have to leave the city to get back out to the quiet rural life.  I can’t say “country life” because that would imply me listening to country music, to which I do not.

When we get home, I head into the wood line on the edge of our yard or sit on the back porch and watch the woods, the birds, or whatever wildlife may happen to wander by the yard. That’s relaxation.  It is bringing yourself back to nature.  Getting in tune. Take a 10-minute walk down a trail in the woods. Take a seat and rest for 20 minutes, and absorb the sounds and the woods' openness.  That should be enough to unwind for a bit.  That is natural out there.  Then head back do what you need to do to complete your day.  But get away from the noise and the people of the city.  I believe a lot of anxiety and rage comes from people being on top of people in the urban environment. It’s not natural.  My suggestion is not a kumbaya thing; it is about getting back to nature where we belong. People have split us up from the natural world.  According to them, there is us, the humans, and there is nature.  With this split, you hear we are invading the animals’ space and that we humans do not belong. That, to me, is not natural to say that. But are we invading?  We have forgotten we are part of nature.  Now, you don’t have to be a hunter to enjoy the woods.  Just go out and try it.  Take a short hike.  Take baby steps at first and build yourself up if you aren’t sure about it.  But try it.

And in closing this post, I ask you, “Where did we come from?”  Should we be crammed together in the cities and neighborhoods?  I don’t think so.  Fred Bear once said, “Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person.”  I say go out and try it, see for yourself.