Everytime I get into nature I realize that LA is probably not the place where I was meant to live because my daily consumption consists of roads, buildings, and cars. I miss the treasures of our world that include trees, streams, stars, and sunsets (probably my favorite). I cherish the moments I am surrounded by the natural world, which is why so many great teachers all say to spend time in nature. When I have had this luxury, I always think bigger and deeper. As a result I started this blog to share some of these thoughts amongst others.
I remember I was up in the forests near Santa Rosa several years ago when it first hit me looking at a tree that was over 2000 years old. Nature does not try to be, nature is just is. A tree does not try to be more or less than it is, it just is. The same goes for the soaring eagle, the squirrel or the tadpole. They are not concerned with what others think or say, they just live their lives. Humans have for the most part escaped the natural world so we do have the time to concern ourselves with other thoughts and feelings.
Never was this more true than watching my wife Beth go through pregnancy. Her body was living according to the Laws of Nature and it knew just what to do at every step of the process. Truly incredible to watch. She was just riding the wave being natural. She was not trying to do more or be more than she was - she was just being part of a process of nature that goes back millions of years.
I have returned to this thought throughout my life since my adult life is full of all types of opportunities to attempt to be more than I am. At work, in my social life, in my sporting life - there are countless opportunities to reach beyond and try to be more than I am. Take for example that big presentation at work - the natural thought is to tell yourself I really have to step up and knock 'em dead. But this is a trap - I have found the better way to approach this situation is to prepare and then just be me. No more. No less. This usually eases the pressure a bit and makes me feel more grounded. How can I possibly be more than I am?
In my sporting life this is never more apparent than in a game of golf. When I am at one with my game, I am just living shot to shot with no thought in my mind. I am just letting my natural game come out. My body, mind and soul are in totally alignment. Only when I start thinking too much do I lose this balance and my score usually reflects this.
So be who you are, no more, no less. Our best has to be good enough because we cannot be more than we are.
Footnote: images courtesy of my iphone and Sundance, UT
