Going It Alone...Or Not

We can not teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves. - Galileo Galilei

I saw a TV commercial the other day that evoked an "ah-ha" moment. I don't watch TV very often, and I don't even remember what the commercial was for, but the concept was this: we are born completely dependent on other humans for our survival. Then as we grown, we are taught by those who love us and by society that independence is our goal, our greatest form of strength. But I don't believe that is accurate.

We humans are a social species, capable of living a solitary life, yet that's not really what we are designed to do. We gain strength from our unapologetic dependence on others, by admitting and embracing our need for love, acceptance, camaraderie, and collaboration. Our satisfaction with ourselves is at its best when we realize that helping others is the reward, not independence. And, I am not talking about saving the world, here. I am reminding you of the memories we all have of tying a 4-year-old's shoelace, or helping a lost tourist find their way, or reminding a friend who is struggling that they are loved.

So, what does this have to do with getting out in nature? I often reread what I have written here, and I realize that the picture I have painted about the value of getting outdoors is primarily as a collection of individual activities, meant to escape the routine and to get away. This isn't really the whole picture. It is more importantly about connecting, re-connecting and sharing with people, places, and emotions outside of ourselves. To see and experience nature with others is a shared experience that joins strangers, builds friendships and smooths disagreements.

Think about it next time you decide to go on that long Saturday morning walk to clear out the mental clutter from the week. Invite someone along who needs the fresh air and the chance to connect. The company does not diminish your time outdoors, it most often deepens the experience. Connection, with nature and with others, is precisely what makes us perfectly human.