Life Inspired by Nature

“Freedom of life only endures if nature does.” ~ Maria Lehtman

There are so many treasures in life and beings on Earth we enjoy and have not yet even discovered. I focus on nature in my photography and self-transformation. Nature is an ecosystem where nothing goes to waste, everyone has a purpose and transformations happen out of necessity – not because someone wants to be something grander. Life is about survival, and betterment of the families and kin, hurds and groups.

Can we honestly say that we do not place our ego up front when making decisions that impact others? Can we raise our hands and say we have done everything to make this beautiful world even better. That our words express everything we consider valuable in the world. Do you connect the words: ‘hussle’, grandeur, luxury, skinny, flawless, admired or enviable with nature?  Would you rather select something else? Efficient, survival, finite, transformation, evolution, care, beauty with a purpose…?

There are birds that have not mastered any flight skill at all when they need to make a leap of fate from 20 meters above the ground. Their parents bring them less and less food in order to encourage hungry chicks to take their transforming step over the edge. Every now and then, we see these little bundles on the ground. The ones that did not make it. Yet, some of them did and were stronger for it. They are able to live on, find mates and teach the routines to their children.

There is no cruelty or kindness without a clear purpose for everyone’s best. A mother ape may watch her little one get caught between the rail and the hard place. Patiently waiting to see if the kid learns his lesson. The mother moves closer to provide comfort, hope – but does not interfere. When she finally reaches out, it is an encouraging nudge to the direction the little one should move to. Lesson learned? I should think so. It will take a while before that railing is on the test run again.

All this and more we see around us, but do we really see? Do we listen and learn? Can we eat and recycle what we collect? Can we reuse what we build – or do we act like the ‘Last Man on Earth’ sending dirty diapers into the world tied to balloons since there’s little life around anymore as is.

I watch the ocean life documentaries on streaming services, and they never cease to amaze me. All those lifeforms! And such vast the oceans. And so little wiggling room left for the beings in them. It is unfathomable.

I hope the next generations can be better than us. I hope they keep the beaches and waters cleaner so that they too can enjoy the wonders of the ocean, the constant song of the waves and wind. Songs that only our hearts recognize.

“Ah, love, let us be true
To one another! for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;
And we are here as on a darkling plain
Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night.”

~ Caption from ‘Dover Beach’ by Matthew Arnold