You think you own whatever land you land on. The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim. But I know every rock and tree and creature. Has a life, has a spirit, has a name” This verse is from “Colors of the Wind” in Disney’s Pocahontas when John Smith iconically first encounters her. Walt Disney himself quotes, “The wonders of nature are endless”. Disney movies played a very big role in my view of nature as a child. Whether it was talking animals, inanimate objects, non-living things, and others I don’t remember the movies all incorporated nature of some sort. Nature is a friend and they help in many different ways. Even if naked eyes do not physically see the life teeming before us does not mean it isn’t there.
Growing up in a family that practices animism and shamanistic rituals, my parents taught me as a young child to respect all life and living things other than human beings and animals. The forest, trees, land, rivers, all have a guardian spirit and if called upon they will answer to you. I’ve always loved animals and the outdoors as a young child and I was taught that if I were to disrespect and take away from nature without offerings and giving thanks nature would be upset. I had so many questions as a child but I always had the utmost respect for nature.
Nature and the Earth itself is full of mysteries and beautiful unknowns. As an adult now I still uphold respect and friendly gesture for nature and all living things the same as I was a child. There is a very special place in nature I hold dear to me called the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area that is located by West Sacramento and Davis, CA. This spot is my favorite place to retreat to when I’ve had a really hard day, need a break from people, or to escape the concrete jungles of the city and reconnect with nature. It is a place filled with wonders. The animals such as the Great Egrets, Herons, pelicans, and swans migrate to this area during different seasons and grace me with their lovely grand presence. Sometimes it’s as if they’re telling me to spread my wings to be just as graceful and willingly strong as they are in the wild.
I want to be strong just like Pocahontas stood up for nature. I want to be able to give back and take care of nature by making sure wildlife and forests are not abused for industrial and business purposes. It is the law of the universe that what we get is what we give. If we give back to take care of nature, nature will in turn take care of us. Just as Earth and nature has given to me the necessities of life and its never-ending friendship I, too want to give back and take care of nature just as it has taken care of me.
