- With half of their time spent at screens, the next generation will be poorly equipped to defend the natural world from harm
I know this is old news now, but I just found this site today, and hadn't seen this article at the time of its print. Who and what are we becoming? Who am I becoming? I can't point my finger at anyone but myself. I don't spend as much time hiking the Sandia mountains or exploring the bosque as I used to do. I don't ride my bike to the base of the ancient dusty volcanoes as I used to do. I spend more time online, more time with my face flushed in blue light. I spend more time finding meaning in the connection between myself and stranger than I do in the connection between myself and the geese that migrate over my home. We are changing, our hands on the keys are our only tactile nexus. It is our minds that convey our sense of wonder. It is no longer our eyes, our sense of smell, the simple way we bend when the wind hits our face. It is as if we are leaving our bodies, and leaving the body of our mother behind.
Well said littlebirdie. I grew up playing outdoors in the woods of southeast Michigan. I went to the University of Montana and hiked in the Rocky Mountains and swam in the blackfoot river etc. I have always had a deep love for nature but I too find myself slipping further away from nature. Recently I have taken up running as a hobby just so I can be outside. When I first started, I would run right up to my car or door and then be done. Now I leave at least 1/2 a mile to walk at the end so that I can meander for a bit and enjoy my surroundings. I think I need to start camping again. Enjoy that bike ride to the volcano!
This thread actually inspired me to get up at 4 am and go for a nice hour-long walk along the dry riverbed this morning. And oh! So glad I did! I saw a coyote hiding behind a cottonwood tree. He watched me ramble through the sparse bosque. I felt his eyes on my back for a long, long time. I will walk again tomorrow morning, think I will make this my new ritual. Running is great idea! I might give that a go - it would make the morning ritual a bit warmer!
That's wonderful to hear, I'm glad that our conversation last night inspired you. A coyote? That's fantastic! I'm also glad to hear that you're considering running, I have found it to be a fantastic addition to my life. I enjoy reading your comments, they certainly paint a beautiful picture. Have a great day.
I used to run and miss it. 7 years ago, I was driving to Santa Fe for a poetry reading, and a drunk driver hit me, sent me and my wee little car rolling head over tail like a spring tumbleweed. Ended up in an arroyo, upside down. So lucky to be alive, I am. Shattered two disks in my back, which ended The Run for then, but I am healed now, and I bet could start without issue. And yeah, that morning walk was so glorious. I am still thinking about it.
littlebirdie, your positive energy rules. I look forward to hearing about your foray back in to the life of a runner. Also, should you find the time, I'd love to hear that banjo-duo of yours. Cheers!
Well. I did it. Ran clear from the end of my street to the river. Half a mile. Ugh. I thought I would burst a lung! Funny how you think you are in amazing shape for your age and then BAM! The universe laughs. It was fun, it did warm me up, and I walked forty five minutes longer along the dry river praying for rain or snow, at least on the mountains so we can have a river again in the spring. Now I'm back, and all the better for it.
That's fantastic! Not to be cliché but every journey starts with a step. Today's half-mile is tomorrow's half marathon. Have a great day!