The Florida Nature Connection

Last week one of my friends made a comment, "its great that you say we should be outside, but some of us have to work." Good point, but just because we are sequestered inside doesn't necessarily mean we need to be totally disconnected from nature or its benefits. In fact studies have shown that when a living plant is brought into a hospital room the patient actually experiences a quicker recovery. Other studies are suggesting that by changing the workplace environment to be more "Biophilic" results in less absenteism, reduced stress and higher productivity. Stephen Kellert, an author, social ecologist, and recent Guggenheim Fellow winner suggests in his recent book,that built spaces need to re-connect to the natural world through the use of lots of windows daylight, fresh air, plants green spaces and natural materials... people work and learn better, work more comfortably and recuperate more successfully in buildings that echo the environment in which the human species evolved. So do your boss a favor and bring a plant to work. You'll be more productive, less stressed,and be absent less. With performance improvement like that your sure to get a raise or promotion. But before you run out and fill your office with plants, there is a little secret that will enhance the benefits even more. Every day spend a little time with your new friend(s). You know what they say, when you give selflessly you receive abundantly. That goes for plants as well as humans.

Can you believe the average person spends over 98.5% of their time indoors? That being the case, it should come as no surprise to hear of all the fear our society has built up around being outside. Watch out for the ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, snakes and don't forget those pesky fire ants and voracious alligators.I am not saying that we shouldn't take reasonable percautions,it is necessary to respect Nature and the plants and animals that live there, but It seems that the more "educated we become, the further from nature we retreat. Are we hiding or have we forgotten the joys and benefits that Nature provides? Richard Louv in his book "Last Child in the Woods" coined the phrase Nature Deficit disorder. He and many others believe that some of the problems we are seeing in our children such as ADD , ADHD, obesity and stress my be caused by their disconnection with nature. I think many of us adults have a touch of it too. Of course the cure my be worse than the disease. You may have to go outside and deal with the side effects such as fresh air and sunshine. I was sure I was coming down with a severe case of NDD last Frisday. So being adventurous, I decided to try the cure and headed out into the wilds of Clay County. Sensing that others may also need a dose of the cure, I brought along about 40 of my closest friends to experience the healing first hand. As we settled into our tree houses and tesnts at one of our local treasures, Camp Chowenwaw, I noticed a subtle change taking place. Our pace had slowed. People were smiling and even laughing. I saw friends pitching in to help each other set up their camp sites. Then there was the food. What is it that makes food taste so delicious outside? A group of people came togehter and in a few hours were transformed into a collaborative caring community. As the weather cools, nature is calling for us to stop, step outside and experience the healing. But I warn you that this may be habit forming. Till next time, Go outside !! Ed

We as a people spend way too much time complaining, whining and blaming others. We spend our days listening to the news tell us how bad things are, how many people are murdered, who has died, who is dying and who may die. We are up on all the diseases. We are very knowledgeable about the unemployment rates and the latest financial crisis that may be right around the corner. We are masters of assigning blame. Read the paper some morning, it is President Obama's fault, No, Congress is to blame. The Federal Reserve is the one that really screwed up. Maybe they should be held responsible? I heard on the radio that liberals and the liberal press were the ones that are driving things to hell in a hand basket. Nope you're wrong the conservatives are to blame. I thought it was the jews who were causing all the problems. Wrong again, its ths Christians. Silly me, everyoine knows it's the Muslims who are at the root of our problems. I am really not certain who or what is responsible, but I know for sure its not me! Well maybe, just maybe in some little, very little insignificant way I may be partially responsible. I read the newspapers, watch the television, listen to the radio and most of the time I believe what I am being told without even questioning the validity of what is being said. I would have to describe myself as a passive participant. By passively sitting on the sidelines I am by default condoning everything that is happening. I am very effective in expressing my opinions and voicing my complaints, but I have to admit I have done very little to effect change. That is changing. The change has been slow and not so steady but changing none the less. I have awoken to the reality that I am responsible for my thoughts and my actions. These are mine. I am responsible for both and for the results they manifest in my life. No one can dictate to me what I think. Even in the most respressed countries of the world, no one can surpress our thoughts. My actions too are my decisions. Yes I must pay the consequences for all my actions, but in the end they are mine and mine alone. Our world is at a critical crossroad. We can choose to complain, whine and protest or we an choose to be activists for our beliefs. We can listen to others points of view and enter into meaningful dialogs instead of responding with insulting and derogatory insults. Most importantly we must all take full responsiblity for being the change we want to see in the world. We may not be able to change the world, but we can change our world one thought and one action at a time. In the coming weeks I will share with you my journey,my thoughts and my actions. I hope you will too. Till next time Ed