In Colorado, surrounded by so much beauty, we consider ourselves Nature Lovers. We hike in the mountains and spend as much time as possible outside, under the big blue sky. Being in nature and the accompanying quiet gives us solace. Even in more urban neighborhoods there’s spaciousness amongst trees dotting the sidewalks.
Surprisingly our recent travels taught us that our “in nature” tendencies barely scratch the surface. We journeyed to the remote Antartica and Patagonia regions of the Southern Seas and the Chilean fjords. The natural world was dense, magnificent and diverse. After returning home we realized that there’s so much more to commune with and notice in our ecosphere on a daily basis, wherever we are, traveling or not.
When witnessing Gentoo penguins seeking life-mates and or Southern Chilean dolphins frolicking around the ship (just a couple of so many daily experiences), you suddenly feel that their world is your world. There’s symmetry. We’re deeply connected together on Mother Earth. Our actions and vice versa impact one another.
Often we’ve stopped paying attention. At one Patagonian private reserve, garbage, dropped without consciousness into the sea by fisheries, was strewn along the pristine shore. Elephant seals dozed alongside, often hurt by the refuge. The scene was incongruous. As humans we often disconnect from that which accompanies us, the big and small beauty, the wondrous, precious relationships, and even our authentic selves.
Nature reminds us about mutual potential and care for one another.
The antidote to our forgetfulness? Here are Five Traits to help us remember our connection to the natural world!
- Begin with curiosity (“The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.” – Albert Einstein);
- Move outside your Comfort Zone. Fears are an experience of our mind and do not represent what’s actually true. You can safely try something new and feel wonder;
- Utilize education and ask questions. What are those trees outside your door anyway?;
- Pause and breathe in the moment (or meditate on a chair) so you observe more;
- Notice…the bird tweeting, a flower’s scent, the taste of crystal-clear water, snowflakes on your skin…
During eighteen days “Living As A Traveler” aboard the National Geographic Resolution, the Expedition team taught us about the Seventh Continent and Chilean fjords’ Natural World, anything and everything not created by humans, “the totality of living organisms and their environment.” In Antartica, the size of Mexico and the United States combined, this meant experiencing the driest, windiest, highest, least inhabited and coldest destination on earth, with caring, smart, “open” experts and passengers. To “remember”, we utilized daily experiential and practical education within an inquisitive, hopeful community. Find yours.
Although we still can’t distinguish between a Tarn and a Petral, two Antarctic birds, the recent journey opened our eyes to what’s possible: for individuals to live the life they were meant to live, aligned with themselves, serving, respecting and encouraging the same for others, within community and, most importantly our natural world.
In 2023 “Live as a Traveler”, with curiosity, presence, an open demeanor and awareness of the potential to make a difference.
Want to travel to Antartica? Contact me HERE to learn more about the experience.
Check Out remarkable itineraries HERE.
