Today’s post is by a guest writer and good friend of mine, Austin Homkes. Austin will be periodically writing for this blog in the upcoming months! Hope you enjoy!
“What if everyone took a minute, an hour, a day, or dare I say weekend to go out into the pockets of wilderness set aside for just that purpose. How would the world, in particular change, if leaders of our society went out to a peaceful lake with sun glinting off its crest before they made a decision? I think the world would be a very different place. I’m talking both about time in nature and time in reflection. It seems when we slow down to appreciate nature we start to value it. These values run deeper than the woods, leaves, fish, birds, and insects that flutter about us. A sense of value for all things suddenly align when our values order themselves the way one orders their priorities when in nature. In the outdoors the littlest, most insignificant things matter the most and make up the foundation for all life. Ecosystems thrive from the bottom up and it is recognized that the greatest achievements like forests, meadows, and tundra are made possible only by those who lie in the cracks, the microscopic, the insignificant. If individuals thought this way in today’s world, things might be different, things might change for the better. All this starts with a personal choice. Go outside today and sit, in the park, in the back forty, in the national park. Just sit, gather what matters there and then apply what you find to life, to the world.”
©Tom Gable
©Tom Gable
©Tom Gable
Love the canoe photo, Thomas. 😉
This message reflects my thoughts entirely.
Beautiful photos.
Wonderful work. I just said it: I really like your nature shots. They are vibrant, detailed and have a natural look. A quality I value above all photoshop perfection.
Thanks much! I appreciate that compliment!
You are welcome!
Ecosystems DO thrive from the bottom up! So few realize this. The invisible net that holds us all. If world leaders went into the wilderness to contemplate their next move, they might be struck by the large-ness of nature and become a little less sure of themselves in it – eh?
I agree with you!
What a beautiful post this is, both in the words and the photos. It is so true thaty our appreciation of beauty increases with the intensity of our observation.
I really enjoyed this post and feel as the writer. It would be a much different world, and people would be nicer to each other I am sure. The images are beautiful, my favorite – the canoe (I don’t know boats, so I am just guessing).
Wow!! Pretty stunning and amazing pictures yourself! And the message!!! I too look forward to more!!!
Beautiful photos Tom as usual. And wonderful thoughts from your friend. Resonates with me much. Thanks!
Lovely reflections and beautiful photos, I especially love the crystalline quality and evocative colors of the lake and canoe image.
Great message and photos!
Thanks for the feedback! It is very appreciated!