My place in nature

I've always had pretty strong appreciation for nature and all of its intricate components. There are so many interconnecting parts to the environment in which we live, it's almost mind boggling. Because there is such a vast expanse of beauty to discover in nature, I feel that my place in it entails observing as much as I can to deepen my appreciation for it. The more that becomes appreciated by our planet's inhabitants in nature, protection and conservation is more likely to occur. Most people are willing to go out of their way to protect things that are important to them and they've had a personal connection with. That's why I take every opportunity I come across to experience something new in nature. If we don't take advantage of our environment to learn about it and discover it's intricacies, we are wasting a priceless gift that can never be replaced. I think that to some extent, everyone's place in nature involves exploring it to gain a better appreciation. After all that we take from nature, the least we can do is to give the recognition and praise that it deserves. On page 9, Dillard quoted Albert Einstein that, " ' nature conceals her mystery by means of her essential grandeur, not by her cunning' ". I think that this adds to how I perceive my place in nature. The raw beauty and majestic qualities that exist in so many of nature's wonders contain the mystery that captivate my desire to see all that I can in nature. The simplicity of a snow covered mountain, for example, isn't necessarily adding to nature's mystery by having hidden meanings. Merely being in the presence of something as majestic as a mountain range leaves me with a feeling of wonder and a greater yearning to see more of nature's beauty.
While being out in the rugged wilderness is not for everyone, I think that developing a sincere appreciation for the nature around us is an important foundation to have. I believe that our appreciation determines how we live in harmony with nature versus competing against nature.
~Amy Phillips