Right or Wrong?

What do you think?

Hello again!

This week is a bit of a ramble in some ways. I have to say, I don’t pay a lot of attention to media or news, but something popped up in a news feed a few days ago and, it triggered me! I wish I knew who to rant to and be heard but for now, please be my sounding board. I didn't post this straight off. I needed it to percolate, see if it stayed on my mind. Well it has!

What got my goat? Kids, nature, education, the blindness of authority…. and that’s just a start.

The article that caught my eye was about a woodland, in Wales, but not in my neck of the woods (haha!) and the said woodland does have a pathway through it. Apparently kids have been going there to ride their bikes but, have been causing damage (I didn’t see any photographic proof mind) and leaving litter, so what do those in charge do? Close off access to the woodland!! That seems to be the answer these days. Not so long ago and again in Wales, a load of trees were chopped down under the premise that kids were ‘hanging out’ under them, so best solution - get rid of the trees. Surely I’m not the only one that considers this way of thinking as totally bonkers - or out of the tree!! Getting rid of trees is easier than spending time and perhaps a bit of money education our kids (and some adults too). Now that has to be a false economy!!

The problem of course, is disconnection or lack of connection with nature not just the kids - they’ve not been educated clearly, they feel that nature is just something out there, that they aren’t connected to. Solutions need to start with the adults, do you agree?

A big wake up is needed, a realisation that we are NOT separate from nature, we are nature too. This is partly why I post nature photographs on my social media pages - it’s my way of trying to encourage people to really see nature, to get out into it, to connect with it and hopefully, with their fellow human beings too and hope that this brings about some good changes in our society as to how we live with each other and in relation to this beautiful Earth.

I feel it is down to each of us that realises this truth, to try in some way to educate, kids and adults alike. I say hats off to the kids for getting out on their bikes, but what they lack is respect for their environment, a feeling of connection with it.

I say bring back nature tables and nature walks at an early age - both with parents and with school and even pre-school. I remember the excitement of my early school days, of taking something in for the nature table, of watching the tadpoles grow into little froglets. I’d be taken out by my parents at weekends to places in nature - Mum naming the flowers, collecting chestnuts and beechnuts, dabbling in rivers etc. I hope you had those experiences too. They are priceless and the best of family memories.

When did kids either stop playing outside or go outside to be destructive (whether they realise it or not)? Missing out on much from living from behind a screen, parents living from behind a screen, barely lifting a head to see what little Johnny or Jessica are up to, or to even really communicate with them. Living life virtually just doesn’t work in the long run - we all need to be living it fully, experiencing, touching, feeling, tasting, seeing and smelling all that is around us. To my knowledge there is no smell o vision!

It makes me sad and it makes me angry but, I feel impotent, powerless - utterly! I could cry that access to this wood is no longer possible, I could cry for the kids whose childhood isn’t as free as mine was, that they don’t thrill at nature as I did. True, we climbed trees and made dens but I can’t recall damaging anything or leaving my litter behind from my picnic - I was taught not to!

So, I’m not blaming the kids and not even the adults - we’ve been socially conditioned to think and believe we’re not nature, not connected with nature - nature is just something that is there. We’d miss it if it were gone though would we not?

As for those ‘in charge’ who believe it’s okay to fell trees that are deemed too big, may fall - well, all I’d say is, you might crash your car, but we’re not stopped from driving them. What is it that those in charge seem to be consistently sending the message that nature is dangerous and something to be afraid of. What happened to assessing risk ourself and of learning what might be risky or not. I nod here too, to the hoo ha over giant hogweed. Eradication or teaching and learning which plants to avoid contacting with, eating etc. Just thinking….

Many of us have awoken, we’ve realised. What can we do, other than my pathetic attempts with my photographs and reels? Anyone have any bright ideas?

I guess for now, unless I see some distinct opportunity, I’ll carry on with my postings but, and I had this idea a while back - to write little books specifically for children. Well that is something to ponder and explore I think.

Seriously, if you have a brainwave or any thoughts, please share with a comment to this post and, if you feel the same - share it! Spread the word.

If you think the total opposite, your views too are welcomed. I’m just putting my thoughts out there, so to speak. All I would say is that no one of us ‘owns’ the great outdoors really, but we're lead to believe we and others do, some more than others. Re-education, a rekindling of respect and re-connection are the key words. That's it. Enough said by me.

Here is the link to the post that got me all in a tizzy. Sadly I can’t find the one to the trees that were felled. Have a little look and see how it makes you feel. It may bring out the warrior within, make you mad, make you cry. Whatever you feel, it's food for thought!

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/24434651.garw-wood-croesyceiliog-remains-closed-children/

I think this is probably the first time I’ve had a bit of a rant here! It won't become a habit though - I promise. Back to uplifting reading now and recording meditations for you.

Until next time, enjoy all the Nature around you, no matter how seemingly small.

Elaine x