New Beginnings

              Senior year of college is almost halfway through and I find myself pondering major life questions. I find myself peering into the future and retrospectively gazing at my past at an increasing rate. I am trying to cherish and take mental pictures of each day that I am blessed with in college. I believe it is important for each person to take a step back and reflect and make goals for the future, especially in times of a major life transition. These same questions I have spiraling through my mind appear in my mind’s eye when I am surrounded by nature. Nature has this calming effect that reminds me of what is really important in life and that my momentary stressors are just that momentary.

                Nature is defined as “the phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations.” I love the descriptors used in this definition it is the world COLLECTIVELY. This is how humans should view their surroundings. Not as superiors, but as a collective unit that is a part of this Earth. I believe nature calms me for it brings me back to my Creator. It reminds me that I am a part of something much bigger then myself and that is invigorating.

                This summer I was able to camp with some of my closest friends along the side of the lake. One morning I woke up earlier than the rest of my friends so that I could read scripture among the light of a new morning reflected in the lake before me. It is a treasured memory I hold for in those moments before the rest of the world was a wake I was able to spend intimate time with my God and be among His creation. It is extraordinary to look out onto the lake and see the sky and sun reflected on its surface. It seems to entice the human eye to stare even just for a little longer. It is mesmerizing to think that the grand bodies of water on this earth are dated far before even the elders of my family that first came to North America.

                I believe all humans have this inner pull to nature. To some this may just be observing the friendly squirrel on TCU’s campus while others natures pull brings them far deep into the wilderness untouched by human hands. This gravitational pull to the other inhabitants of this great earth is what I believe keeps us sane. Life would be quite dull in dreary if it was truly centralized around me or any other one person. The beauty is in the collectivism of this fine earth. All inhabitants are meant to live in a type of unity that is hard to express on the mere typing of these keys.

                With this reflection on my draw to nature I hope to continue to ask the big life questions, and to never take myself too seriously. I pray that my worldview is always focused on those around me and the inherent community we all share. Here is to new beginnings.