Quiet time in nature

There are two things I've craved all my life: the natural world and solitude.

Early on in my marriage my lovely wife figured out I actually needed those two things to keep my head on straight. Occasionally I'd get a gentle reminder.

“Isn't it time for you to disappear into the woods for a few days?” she'd say.

Then I'd pack a small pack and wander somewhere off the beaten path. When I got back I was much easier to live with. There's nothing like being alone in the woods or on the water for having a good think. Major life changes have been made once I've had some time alone to ponder things. Too few people live unexamined lives.

Once we moved up the lake I didn't need to actually disappear quite as often. Living surrounded by nature and with few neighbors I got a lot of the peace and quiet I needed.

Here in Florida it's a bit different. Fortunately, my dad's retirement park made the wise decision to build around the trees rather than cut them all down. There's a pond on the property with fish, turtles, birds and event the occasional alligator. Lately a falcon has been hanging around. There are still a lot more people around than what I am used to. My lovely wife and I have been able to get away for a few hours now and then. We've gone to the ocean to absorb some of that sea goodness. It helps.

I'm not an antisocial person. I like people well enough and enjoy meeting new ones. Everybody has a story to tell. Some people need to get away from everything now then, and I'm one of those people. Beats the heck out of medication and head headshrinkers.

-Sixbears