“Never let the ability to enjoy our biggest playground slip away…”
“A very confident and explorative four-year-old Ben was navigating a forest with my grandparents and siblings. For reasons I cannot remember, I took it upon myself to slip away from my grandparents and find my own path. Looking back, it was undoubtedly an alarming moment for my family but a deeply formative experience for me.
After hours, they finally found me sitting atop a tree stump, merrily singing to myself. I remember sitting between the trees, gazing up in awe at the vibrant colours, textures and sounds around me. I belonged here, adding to the sounds of the forest with my singing. I was happy. I needed nothing more.
I would say to my younger self, who deep down always knew this, to never let the ability to enjoy our biggest playground slip away. Nature has a magical way of freeing our inner child, reminding our adult selves of the world that we have grown used to.
For me, that has been the biggest lesson growing up. Jobs, friendship circles, and relationships all change, but the connection with nature remains a consistent source of joy.”
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This is a beautiful and evocative memory! It perfectly captures that innate sense of wonder and belonging we find in nature. Your reflection on preserving that connection as we grow is truly inspiring. It's a powerful reminder to prioritize those moments of simple joy and rediscovering our "biggest playground."
Thanks for sharing this, Niall.
Ben, I love your description of nature as our playground. It brings me back to the value of entering into the natural world with a renewed sense of wonder and delight. Thank you for that!