Nature is inspiringly patient,
it is as soft as the flow of a river,
it is as hard as death,
it is as quiet as termites building their mounds,
it is as loud as woodlands kingfisher announcing its return after migrating many miles and
nature is pure,
it is home.
These are just some of the ways I could try to explain nature, but it’s difficult to describe and everyone gets a different feeling when immersed in nature or simply hears the word “nature”.
“I love crossing the Sand River as the sun rises, especially in the winter as the colours are just that much more dramatic. One does however have to be willing to brave the cold” – a feeling that ranger Robbie Ball feels when exploring nature in winter.
The connection to nature is so central to what we do at Londolozi. As a guide, my own connection to nature is what allows me to do my job, and to help my guests from all over the world find their own way to connect with the wilderness when they are here at Londolozi. Recently I came across a few quotes which really rang true for me when describing the feeling of nature. I found that after reading each quote, something arose in me as I interpreted the words and found my own examples of them in my mind. I was inspired to share them in case any of them resonated with you today and perhaps brought you closer to nature in your own way.
“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.” Alice Walker
This describes how imperfectly perfect the wild can be with everything created and shaped in its own way for a very specific reason. Nature is unique.
“I still cannot believe the incredible light from this morning. We stopped on a crest and just watched the misty morning as the sun rose above the rolling hills.” Ranger Dean De la Rey – Sometimes all you need is to just sit and enjoy what is right in front of you.
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” Khalil Gibran
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Albert Einstein
I believe we, as humans, can learn so much from the wilderness and all its tiny components all interacting in one ecosystem. There is no greed and there is no waste, there is no time but the present.
“We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” Native American proverb
We are all responsible for the care of the Earth. I believe it is our purpose to hold on to the good and that every life is as precious as mine.
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Lao Tzu
“The butterfly counts months but moments, and has enough time.” Rabindranath Tagore
“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature, the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” Rachel Carson
“Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
These four quotes all have one thing in common – time is not something that we need to live by. Some tribes do not even have a word for time. Within the Hadza Tribe in Tanzania, the children do not believe in the past or the future. A group of travelling artists gave the children some paint to paint pictures and once they had finished their painting they threw the paintings away. The artist who gave them the paint asked why they did that? To which they responded that they have lived in the moment and now that is over they no longer need the paintings, they only live in the now. This stuck with me and shows how the tribes have learnt from nature.
“ Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are.” Gretel Ehrlich
“ The Earth has music for those who listen.” William Shakespeare
Guardian of The Aloes – an incredible piece of art created by our Artist in Residence, Roxy Burrough
“I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of stars.” Walt Whitman.
This to me means that every part of nature has a place and is as beautiful as each other.
The intangible quality of nature is so deeply rooted in the felt experience of it. But sometimes, as with these quotes that I have shared, words can beautifully illustrate those feelings – just as these quotes have all resonated with me and how I feel when I’m in nature.
I would love to hear if you have any other feelings about nature or beautiful quotes that inspire you each day?
Robbie Ball’s initial quote completly describes how I feel at Londolozi on a winter morning. There is nothing so peaceful yet exhilarating!
Wonderful piece by Roxy!
Jess, to me nature is a feeling. I know this is not much of an answer. for you but it is the way I have come to express myself in nature. The earth on my bare feet, the wind in my hair, the warmth or cold of the air around me, sunrise or sunset, the moon as it courses from new too full. As you can tell it is impossible for me the describe nature . I only experience my feelings.
Jess nature is astoundingly beautiful and cannot be compared from one day to another. Each day brings new beginnings, breathtaking scenes, brisk early morning walks, captivating blue skies, enchanting babies following moms every move. Lush vegetation for the wild animals, wondrous detail of each bird nest, sparkling water from a water fall takes my breath away. There is nothing like nature, it must just be managed correctly and eco systems must be in places.
I absolutely love the Shakespeare quote. 🙂
I believe – To hear is to listen. but one cannot hear if you don’t immerse & listen. Nature has a way of “making music” & talking to everyone differently.
Beautiful quotes and stunning photos! One of my favorite quotes is by Vincent van Gogh: “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” I live in an arid high-mountain environment and while some might call it desolute, I find it stunning and inspiring. The will it takes for nature to survive and thrive here is unbelievable. Also, the sky is so stunning – brilliant blue in the day time and filled with stars at night.
Wonderful photos and great quotes.
For me being in the bush, out in nature, under a wide blue sky or under a sky full of stars at night are the best feelings one can have and enjoy.
One of my absolutely favorites is from John Burroughs, “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have me sense put back in order.”
While not being entertained in nature, I am one.