Sitting on the side of the highway with my windows rolled down it occurred to me how disconnected from nature I am. From my leather seat I could hear the singing of bugs in the distant brush and wondered for an instant what else existed out there. My kids were at a dude ranch two hours away, communing with nature in a way I haven’t in decades. Here I was, on the side of a road only interacting with nature by accident.
From time to time people ask me what I do when I’m in AZ, and everything I say pertains to man made things. There were the two times I visited the Grand Canyon, but beyond that I’ve remained disconnected from the natural world. This is in part, why I’m quick to say there is nothing to do in AZ. I fear my city nature stirs deep inside and walls me off from any thoughts of enjoying what nature set in front of me. I didn’t even realize AZ had lakes until a few months ago. I still haven’t efforted to see one.
The bottom line is I spend most of my life interacting with man’s technology and by that interaction I slip further away from linkages to the natural world. There must be a balance in order to achieve spiritual understanding. Though it is far too early for new year resolutions, it is long past due to resolve to make those deeper connections and live a more grounded life.