Kayaking the Pocomoke River
I was sitting in a kayak, allowing the current to pull the little boat in whatever direction it chose at that moment in time. There was not a soul to be seen, until along the bank a little turtle quietly perched on a low hanging branch. It dropped to the water to safety when it too realized it was not alone. Scattered throughout the banks on the shore there are signs of wildlife, but only if one is observant enough to see it. The sounds of cars, and people passing, which ordinarily fill my ears, are replaced by the sounds of the wind and dragonflies as they buzz around me. At times such as these, when I am a solitary being, I am able to absorb the lessons which nature is trying to teach: the simpler answer is usually correct. Wildlife has much to teach the naïve human population, it is simply a matter of whether they are willing to stop and take the time to listen.
I was sitting in a kayak, allowing the current to pull the little boat in whatever direction it chose at that moment in time. There was not a soul to be seen, until along the bank a little turtle quietly perched on a low hanging branch. It dropped to the water to safety when it too realized it was not alone. Scattered throughout the banks on the shore there are signs of wildlife, but only if one is observant enough to see it. The sounds of cars, and people passing, which ordinarily fill my ears, are replaced by the sounds of the wind and dragonflies as they buzz around me. At times such as these, when I am a solitary being, I am able to absorb the lessons which nature is trying to teach: the simpler answer is usually correct. Wildlife has much to teach the naïve human population, it is simply a matter of whether they are willing to stop and take the time to listen.
Wildlife has a simplicity, which civilization appears to be destroying, however, if one escapes from society it is possible to bring those lessons back to society. In his essay, "Footprints on a Beach," Nathaniel Hawthorne states, “I made acquaintance with a flock of beach birds. These little citizens of the sea and air preceded me by about a stone’s throw along the strand, seeking, I suppose, for food upon its margin. Yet, with a philosophy which mankind would do well to imitate, they drew a continual pleasure from their toil for a subsistence” (335). The words, “a philosophy which mankind would do well to imitate”, were particularly strong as he was discussing the birds and how they enjoyed simply gathering food. While mankind tends to stress over our daily routine, if we as a species were to stop and act as the birds, who “drew continual pleasure from their toil”, then relaxing and enjoying life would come much easier to us.
It always does me good to remove my self from society; it does not make a difference whether it is weeks, days, hours or minutes, the simple reminder that enjoying the present moment is imperative to a pleasurable existence. It is best to live as if one is in the wild, even if they presently are not. To live in the present moment and enjoy every meal eaten, and every safe slumber, that is bliss.
By Megan Kelsall
By Megan Kelsall
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