The title for this blog is through the creative genius of Cesar Milan. Yes, the dog whisperer. I love dogs and all animals, and Cesar Milan is an amazingly novel person. He refers to "living in the now" as the mode of dogs, and how that mindset is what humans need to channel in order to rehabilitate their dogs because dogs do not remember the past, nor think of the future. It is also important that humans live in the now in a similar way that dogs do. The past may be what has made us who we are today, but thinking incessantly about that does not allow us to progress and mature for the future. But living in the now will allow us that passage.
Now moving on to the substance of what this blog is supposed to be about...
It was not until last winter (the winter of 2009-2010) that I had decided to refute my own belief that winter only brought about a barren, desolate, empty season. There is little reminder of life, it is cold (I HATE the cold/being cold), there is not much of anything to really look at or admire. It wasn't until I put a bird feeder in my yard that I realized there is an existence about nature even in the most seemingly desolate season. It may be much quieter, colder, more motionless, but existence is still all around me. I had always heard of the importance of being outdoors as much in cold, wintry weather, as in nice warm weather because being in nature is just better for you, physically and mentally (especially mentally), despite the frigid conditions. But one couldn't catch me dead in cold weather unless I have to be. More recently however, taking a walk in the woods by my house brought to my attention that I actually appreciate the calm, the quiet. It's beautiful. Snow falling does not make an ounce of sound (except the really wet snow) and here it was, pouring like rain, but being humble and quiet, even in feet of accumulation.
I also realized that the quiet in which winter exists is necessary for the survival of all living creatures. It is the time for rest: no reproduction, or the competition that reproduction presents. The metabolic rate of creatures slows to ensure survival on little food. Hibernation, torpor. Even trees partake in a sort of rest period: they lose their leaves in order to gain energy to simply stay alive until Spring, when the promise of rain and humidity quenches them enough to produce their thirsty leaves. I then decided: "why can't we (humans) be required to do the same?" And "Where in our evolutionary development did we stray so far as to not enjoy the rest that winter brings?" (Of course, "where in our evolutionary development did we stray so far from..." is always a prefix to things I contemplate on our connection to the natural world, for example where did we stray so far from our actual connection and obligation to the natural world, but that's a different blog for another day).
Since my revelation last winter, I may not exactly look forward to winter, but it comforts me to know that it does not bring about the death of nature, simply a period of rest. I now pursue walks in the winter, and feel that the quiet brings me closer to my natural surroundings than I could have ever imagined. Of course, the promise of a warm house to return to makes it that much more pleasant.
I like the idea of winter as calm, quiet, and it does make an excellent backdrop for meditation, as there are far fewer distractions. The stillness can be intimidating, for sure, but is necessary. I, too, am hoping to find a new appreciation for winter through blogging.
ReplyDeleteIn an Eco-related class last year, the professor charged us with not turning on any unnecessary electronic devices for a week. I was shocked by how often to I turn to technology to drown out the silence. It seems like winter works similarly, getting us used to the silence, should we choose to accept it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that everyone can revere silence as it is necessary for our lives. I also think that confronting silence gives us a sense of being alone, without being lonely. And winter offers us this sense.
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