Naturalists and humanitarians have a respect for nature and humans, respectively - and, in most cases (I suspect), for each other. I was contemplating on all the ways in which nature and humans are alike, and decided to put them in a list. It becomes more difficult to take things for granted when you expose your deeper thoughts, and put them on paper (or on a computer screen). In the end the process evokes a genuine gratitude.
Once I started writing, more thoughts came. I could write a series of books on this subject. So below is a partial list (more to come) of the human-nature connection that I am sincerely grateful for:
Our Desire To Communicate
I read an article in the BBC magazine, Wildlife, about how certain plants communicate. It was discovered after a bit of observation that some plants (including strawberries and clover), communicate through a vegetable-based phone line. This living cable is created from these plants and grows and spreads over the ground in a neighborhood network. Messages can be spread about enemies in their mist. Their friends and relatives will be warned about intrusive insects, caterpillars, etc. - a natural alarm system at work.
Humans desire to communicate is more apparent. Our need is so great that we have expanded ways to do so in a more efficient manner. Cell phones, blackberries, text messaging and emails are more common now than having a good ol' person-to-person conversation. Sadly, the virtual conversion seems to have overtaken the human-human conversation. Sad, because the benefit of a true deeper connection is lost.
Our Vulnerability
Part of the communication system involving the natural network I mentioned that certain plants have, has a down-side as well. If one of the plants on the network gets infected by a virus or a bug (or something else) - the other plants involved with the network will be infected, as well. Besides this example, all living things in nature are vulnerable if enough water or sun is not available - God's creations will become weak if nature's cycles become unbalanced, and they will eventually die if not corrected.
Nature is most certainly vulnerable in another way - by the destructive action of the human. Forest fire, intentional or accidental is one way. There are many more. Many actions stem from the dark side of the human when he is possessed with greed. Sections of the world known as Green Belts (protected/lush/natural areas) are becoming less and less. The building of houses and businesses has taken their place. More care needs to be in place when expansion is needed. Humanity and our need to connect with nature must be a component in decision-making.
This leads into how humans are vulnerable. Of course, we are all familiar with this. Everyday many of us wake up with uncertainty. We know the issues - the unstable economy, rising health care, high unemployment rate, global warming, rising gas prices, the declining housing market, etc. - all examples which put our resolve to stay strong and positive to the test. As human beings we are also vulnerable to disease. We may have the best health care in the world here in the United States, but as I mentioned, we are then vulnerable economically - many can not afford the cost for the "best".
In an effort to end on a positive note, I want to offer a nature-human connection that will leave
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/972578
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/972578
The Human-Nature Connection