The Wisdom of Trees and Other Wonders of Nature
In his 2005 book Last Child in the Woods, Author Richard Louv coined a phrase that has stayed with me since I first heard it. He writes that children are spending so much time indoors that he believes they are suffering from what he calls “Nature Deficit Disorder." There is plenty of data to back up Louv's claim that children are spending more time indoors. The American Pediatric Association recently reported that an average eight-year-old child in the United States spends eight hours a day in front of a screen (computer, mobile device, or television) and that the number increases to eleven hours a day for teens. Nature Deficit Disorder is not a medical diagnosis, but is a way to call attention to the fact that children are too often missing out on the whole-health (body, mind, and spirit) benefits of spending time outdoors.
Nature Deficit Disorder is not only affecting children. It seems that this time of year that almost everyone, when given a chance, retreats to nature for renewal. As I view emails and Facebook posts from countless friends who are taking time off, I see that almost every one of my friends is choosing to spend a significant portion of their vacation time doing something outdoors, away from screens. They are going for walks, gardening, golfing, camping, kayaking, biking, hiking, fishing, spending time at the beach, going to summer camp, cherry picking, attending picnics, and enjoying countless other outside activities. We are intuitively aware of the restorative health benefits that come from spending time outdoors.
A friend of mine who is a grade school teacher loves to spend time in her garden, and when she is not in her garden, she is often biking, hiking, or kayaking. She is concerned about children experiencing Nature Deficit Disorder and when I recently visited her classroom I was not surprised to see that there were many nature-themed posters on the walls. Each of the posters contained a motivational quote to inspire the children to spend time outside. Not being able actually to hold class outside, she had found a way to bring the lessons of nature indoors. I remember one poster of a large oak tree in particular and I will close this week's column with the wisdom from this poster. The photo of the mature oak tree was stunning, and it drew me closer so that I could read the message that was the central focus of the poster. Here's what it said:
Advice From a Tree
By Ilan Shamir
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!
I need to go now because I need to get away from my screen and get outside to see what essential lesson nature has to offer me today.
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