Nature is a wonder, magical, mystical, magnanimous, majestic, beautiful, bountiful, graceful and absolutely stunning in its full glory. It is one of the best ways of relaxing and learning for me. Every creation in this universe, in nature, is beautiful. A bird, a plant, rivers, mountains, animals, forests, every bit of life and nonlife in nature have made me see value for the smallest of actions and routines of living.
I watch with amazement about a bird weaving a nest, feeding young ones, butterflies fluttering, honey bees collecting and making nectar, elephant herds walking majestically with tall and calculated strides while keeping the younger members protected, a lion staying unmoved when a prey passes by when not hungry, peacocks spreading most spectacular feathers in a display of vibrant colours, cuckoo bird singing, fishes small and big swimming in water with great energy and many more. I have felt like staying amidst these forever and note down how well the process of doing these and so many more tasks by all the living organisms probably continues without break. The fact that there seems to be no time to ponder and postpone any schedule by these birds, animals and nature as such makes me wonder at the precision and repetition so carefully managed.
Rivers, oceans, mountains, planes, forests, grasslands, the large expanse of blue sky all provide a lot to learn for me. The stillness and movement in these create so much to understand. Somehow, a mountain range or a river body, river banks, beaches, sunset and sun rise connect me to the creator. Travelling up the hill, trekking on a hilly path, watching the waves cross a river or ocean, moving around tall trees and plants, spending time with animals and birds make me not just happy but rejuvenated.
The city life and limited space force us to also limit access to nature. The balcony in my house has plants which is an area of joy for me. The hanging and potted plants make the balcony green and beautiful. What makes me feel good is how birds seem to be liking this area of the house as they visit and chirrup at different times of the year. For the last 2 years, sunbirds have been building nests and it is an absolute delight to watch the making of nests, parental involvement of both male and female birds, hatching of the chicklings, feeding new born and eventual flight of young birds. Spectacular is too less to describe this wonder unfolding each time. A plant with blooming flowers, fresh leaves, new branches all add to the space becoming colourful.
I realise the love for nature is due to the upbringing and what my parents believed and followed. Respect nature , be it a plant, tree or animals. Express gratitude and protect as much as you can. Even if not protecting but never harm for no one has any right to harm nature was the message given from my youngest years of growing up. This stayed firmly with me and I developed the habit of linking this to what I was learning in my school and college days. Appreciating efforts to save energy, using sustainable measures, not wasting water and taking up steps to grow more plants and care for animals were all exciting for me always due to the efforts of my parents and elders. I remember and now realise how sustainable my grandmother was as she ate from plates made by stitching broad leaves like badam tree. The plate was discarded into nature in her garden where she grew vegetables, fruits and flowers. Her routine was enough to take care of any exercise requirements if at all as she cooked, cleaned, washed with great zeal.
This love for nature made me prioritise sustainability in teaching and curriculum planning. I found ways for every topic and subject to be linked and made relevant with some association with mother earth and nature. I found that inter disciplinary and collaborative approaches work beautifully to make young students realise the need to take care of nature. This became an important aspect of my planning various events, activities, projects and the focus of each annual year for educational institutions in my career. I’m glad to have worked with colleagues, staff, students and parents who wholeheartedly supported this and participated in taking up steps for saving energy, conserving water, planting more saplings, reducing pollution and more.
Scientifically, the wavelength of light that helps us to recognise green colour is said to be most suitable for the eyes. It justifies the need to make our environment green, healthy with plants and animals free and happy. I would always be keen to take steps to protect and care for the environment as good air, water, happy plants and animals can make our living meaningful.
Dear Mother Earth, you provide the best of resources for all living and may we stay in gratitude to not harm this as much as possible.
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