It’s something about the first time I came out here when we
first moved here when I was at the age of 5, everything at that age is
fascinating. Maybe it was the water, when it would run quickly with currents that
made you relax and make you want to close your eyes and believe in a perfect
world. Back when the water was deep, when it wasn’t an unfortunate drought like
today. Or maybe it’s the way the wildlife was behind our house and gave me an
opportunity to disconnect from my problems. Or maybe it was the way I would
skip rocks and watch myself reflect from the water and see myself in a trippy
manner.
Throughout this
process of exploring and looking deeper into the Water Canal located behind my
house, I’ve grown fond to loving this place and grow feelings towards it
emotionally. I’ve learned so much from this place and it’s insane how much you
can learn from something or somewhere, all by observing. The entire idea of
observing never fully convinced me of growing feelings and I find it crazy how
you can find so much beauty and wonder in a place you never cared about no
matter how close or far away it is from you. The meaning of Observation based on Merriam Dictionary
is: “a statement about something you have noticed”
But is that what it truly means? Based on my experience that is somewhat
similar to what I think, but not exactly. Throughout this process I learned
that dedicated observing will make you notice things you have never noticed
before and attach you to the certain topic you’re working with. Just because
you’re observing does not mean you’re only watching characteristics enhance, it
also makes you wonder about the things you’re seeing. Such as questions like
“Why is this happening?”, “why do these birds only come in the morning?”, “why
do these creatures choose to live here?”, or “why do people not treat this
place as a living area when it gives us so much to depend on?” Etcetera. We
begin to wonder many things and grow ambition towards finding out answers.
Not only have I grown fond to this place, but I have
discovered that nature is the best remedy for anything. Mentally and
physically. This water canal has honestly helped me a lot mentally with my
emotions I had at the beginning of this process. Every moment I came out here,
it was like a disconnection of reality of stress into a new world of peaceful
vibes with the sound of water running by, birds chirping and the smell of rain
rising upwards and into my lungs. One of the most amazing feelings is watching
nature take its course without the help of humans. Knowing nature is
independent is astonishing, the only thing we can do is help protect and
preserve it. I've always loved being around nature and taking walks or hikes
with friends, but there's something about being alone while at it. Something
very different. I love walking on the trails, along the edges of the water. I
love being part of nature. I love walking alone. It is therapy. One needs to be
alone, to recharge one’s batteries. It's where one can think of anything
without the fear of worrying about problems because you distance yourself from
those thoughts. Even though sometimes thoughts don't seem to leave your mind,
you notice taking your time in the middle of nature to think about your
problems makes you feel better. Better in the sense you tend to find solutions
to your conflicts rather than listen to others or looking at others. You begin
to notice the beautiful things and see the bright side. In fact, scientists
have long known that sunlight can ease depression, especially seasonal affective
disorder. New research is expanding those findings. A 2007 study from the
University of Essex in the U.K., for example, found that a walk in the country
reduces depression in 71% of participants. The researchers found that as little
as five minutes in a natural setting, whether walking in a park or gardening in
the backyard, improves mood, self-esteem, and motivation (Nature therapy). Just
like they say, nature is cheaper than therapy.
These days it’s easy to tune out the natural world around
you. Yet, on a clear night, when you accidentally catch a glimpse of a star out
of the corner of your eyes, take a moment to gaze up and soak in the night sky
as more stars emerge into view. The struggles of everyday life quickly wash
away as I realign with my place in the universe. Next time you go outside, take
a deep breath and be thankful to be living on a planet that is made up of
nature’s finest components. The air you breathe and the grass you stumble on,
everything. Every single thing on this planet should be preserved and noticed,
just how the world depends on our actions.
"Observation." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster,
n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observation>.
