Nature. It is what it is.
I have to apologize if you think this blog is about the physical or biological building blocks of our natural world. It is not. It is, however, about what we can learn from nature.
As scientific and rational human beings in the twenty-first century, there is a lot we do know about how nature works physically, but we lack the philosophical understanding of why it does what it does.
There is much more to study and ponder. Sometimes, the best we can do is experience without having to explain. Nature is observable but not completely explainable, magnificent and fearless, majestic and mutable, beautiful and courageous, unapologetic, and focused. Nature is all of these things, and it is a poignant reminder of what just is.
I eloped almost two weeks ago and was headed for my honeymoon when nature “happened.” Due to forecasted rain and snow, we had to alter our plans and postpone our adventure. Instead, I found myself walking among nature during a snowstorm and snapped the photographs above and below.
As I strolled, I was mesmerized by the beauty of this familiar but very pleasant winter scene. I realized human beings and nature are similar: both are majestic, innately beautiful, transitional, transforming, and there. Nature is. We are.
As I walked and immersed myself in this breathtaking part of the planet, I was reminded of something we all are guilty of forgetting: we ARE first and foremost. We ARE before we are wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, employees, managers, taxpayers, experts, professionals, writers, coaches, or any other label we might give ourselves or is given to us. We ARE, and it is okay to just BE.
We often feel obligated to live up to the expectations placed upon us based on the roles we are assigned or the labels we are given. If we do not take the time to realize that we are more than these labels, we will forget the essence of who we are. As human beings, we are mysterious and somewhat unexplainable; we are magnificently and beautifully created, breathing, living beings; and, we just are. Like nature being itself or like a snowstorm dumping precipitation on the trees and the landscape, causing the creek to freeze and displaying its marvelous beauty and essence, we are.
Nature comes out to play. It makes no excuses. It IS and does not apologize for itself, and we should not either. It knows who it is and what it needs to do. When is the last time you showed up to play? When is the last time you brought all of you to the table and not just part of you? How long has it been since you have showed up to just be YOU? When is the last time you got yourself out of bed in the morning and, like nature, made no excuses for who you ARE? When is the last time you stopped living your “label” and lived YOU? I invite you to take a look at your closest natural scene (no matter where you are on this planet) and decide if it is YOU who is coming out to play every day.
Standing in the snowstorm and watching the flakes fall into the trees, the rocks, and the freezing water, I was reminded about my true essence, our true essence. We all need to live passionately, purposefully, and without excuse for who we are without all the labels. It is only then that we are able to truly shine no matter what the season.
Vilma Reynoso 