Coming Home to Nature

 

After a long, blustery (and snowy!) winter, spring is a welcome change!

Despite our best intentions, the truth is that many of us have spent the majority of the last few months indoors--snuggly content to sip on hot cocoa, surf the net or indulge in a good book.

But now, with spring's arrival, many of us are finally venturing outdoors--rediscovering the world of nature we have been missing and the happiness that comes from being in touch with the natural world.  From the early morning calls of the Eastern Phoebe, to the scampering of squirrels still fat from their dormant winter to the delicate fuzzy buds forming on the Old Hickory tree here at ALNC, simple moments of happiness are all around for those of us who love the out of doors. Here is a quote from Jerry Wibler's book, Wit & Wisdom of the Great Outdoors, that does a great job of explaining this phenomenon:

"Happiness, for us, is a springtime full moon (though a half will do) wrapped in early mist and ribboned with an owl's hoot. Happiness, for us, is Mariah, the wind, arranging gray and white clouds above needled pines, long peaceful nights lit with heartbreak halfmoons, symphonies of loons riding low in the water, and the rumble of thunder on a hot summer's night. Happiness, for us, is sassy streams on a hot summer's night. Happiness, for us, is sassy streams somersaulting through forests deep, dancing wild flowers and wandering tribes of butterflies. For us life is tasted, touched, smelled, felt, seen and savored, and that my friend is downright happiness."

 Now, get outdoors and enjoy this sunshine!