Nature as Endless Source of Inspiration

Nature is the simple answer to life’s seeming mundanity. Life as we know it can often seem like a repetition of tasks, chores, and schedules. When we are confined to the amenities of modern life — computer work, sleeping and existing indoors, living by clocks instead of our own internal rhythms and the sounds and smells of nature, we can begin to feel like life is a string of monotonous undertakings and responsibilities. A simple way to say this might be: We get bored. Attention and awareness seem to be the answers to boredom, according to recent studies, and nature offers endless opportunities for increased awareness and attention. As John Locke once wrote, “Nature never repeats herself.” We know that nature does seem to repeat herself. The leaves of trees, the stripes of a zebra, and the colors of the flowers are examples of natural patterns. However, upon closer look, John Locke is right. Nature never repeats.

Boredom Disappears When We Pay Attention to Nature

Nature grabs our attention because of the very fact that she seems to repeat herself. The spots on a leopard or the rings on a tree look the same, but there are slight variations. No two patterns are exactly the same. It becomes more and more difficult to slip into boredom while looking at the endless supply of never-repeating art from nature. Nature is neither random nor monotonous and simple fact can remind us of our own endless capacities for newness. In fact, many of nature’s complicated and gorgeous patterns are largely incomprehensible to us. Science has yet to explain them. When you immerse yourself in this kind of originality, apathy dissipates and imagination reigns supreme.

RedCliff Ascent is a therapeutic wilderness program, nestled between two mountain ranges in the high desert of Enterprise, UT. We focus on adolescents ages 13-17 who are struggling with various challenges from anxiety and depression, to school abandonment and the need to reconnect with their family. With over 25 years of experience, RedCliff uses a relational model and narrative therapy to drive an outcome and an evidence-based approach. RedCliff Recovery offers an experience like no other through a proven, 12-step, adventure-based wilderness program. For more information, call us today: 801-921-8488.

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