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We were trees.

DenaJanuary 21, 2015

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“In our former lives, we were trees. Maybe we have even been oak trees ourselves. This isn’t just Buddhist theory; it’s science. The human species is a very young species—we appeared on the Earth only recently. Before that, we were rock, we were gas, we were minerals, we were single-celled beings. We were plants, we were trees, and now we have become humans. We have to recall our past existences. This is not difficult. You just sit down and breathe and look, and you can see your past existences.” –Thich Nhat Hanh

Yesterday we bundled up and headed to the park. It was cold, but the temperature hung around the freezing point. We only stayed about twenty minutes, by that time Roman’s little cheeks were like ice. Still, we needed to be outside, to get some fresh air. Something happens to me when I’m outside, even for a little while. In the warmer months it’s not as noticeable because we spend time outside each day. But in the colder months, when outdoor time is sparse, it’s much more noticeable. Something happens to my spirit, some kind of awakening. It’s like I come alive again.

Being outside reminds me that I don’t truly belong indoors — not at my very core. We evolved outdoors. For tens of thousands of years our ancestors were wild & free. There were no climate-controlled homes & cars; there was no technology; there were no processed foods; and so on. And before that, before we evolved — who knows? I just know that I feel more at home walking in the forest or floating in the sea than I ever have in a shopping mall or behind a computer screen.

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I am so grateful that we live in such a beautiful part of the world. Where we can escape to the outdoors when nature calls us — even if it’s only to a suburban park on a little lake for half an hour. I’ll take it. ♥

Comments (3)

  • Suzy

    January 21, 2015 at 10:59 am

    I read in a magazine that it’s so beneficial to our bodies (and spirits) to be outside and let our bare feet connect to the ground and how so many people go years without letting bare skin touch the earth. Kind of makes me sad!

  • Tina

    January 21, 2015 at 11:19 am

    I feel the same way, I belong outdoors. I am happiest outdoors and feel so terrible when I’m inside for long periods of time 🙁

  • Gillian

    January 22, 2015 at 10:01 pm

    oh i can so relate to that feeling of “not belonging” in this crazy hectic world. i was literally just thinking about it for a moment while i was working on blogging. i do enjoy blogging and shopping and things of the sort but sometimes i just have this moment of wanting to move into the middle of nowhere into a little cabin and sit out in the yard with my babies wandering around all day. <3

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