Nature Stoppers

A lot of energy is consistently pushing modern world people from all sides and at all times during the day. Some of this energy turns into mind and body baggage. Some of the baggage of the mind is like walking through life with sunglasses on. The moment the sunglasses are taken off, the world becomes a more brilliant and vibrant place. But, unfortunately, the sunglasses of modern day people remain worn for most of the day and it affects their enjoyment of nature. What, then, must be eliminated?

1) The element of time:
  "I only have an hour to enjoy this place."
  Do I have enough time to finish the job at the office?"
  Let's get this over with so I can meet someone at 1:00."

Allow yourself to let go of time. Time has a way of ruining everything that can be enjoyed. Learn how to slow down. By slowing down, you will be able to use your five senses. Learn to experience the moment and not let yourself drift into the past or into the future. And finally, learn to clear your mind. Only then will you be able to see with Outdoor Eyes.

2) The constant worrying or guilt feeling:
  "Should I be enjoying myself."
  "Am I good enough to enjoy nature?"
  "Maybe I shouldn't be taking the weekend off!"

Allow yourself to take some time off and let go of your worries for the time being. Nothing is ever going to be completed and there will always be lists upon lists to finish. But, by letting go, even for just a short moment, you will be able to see with Outdoor Eyes.

3) The constant thinking or analyzing:
  "What was the name of that bird?"
  "How high is our elevation on this mountain?"
  "Maybe I should take this shorter trail. It's about 2 miles and this trail is 2.2 miles."

Learn how to eliminate labels from nature; distance, elevation, names, etc. Learn how to just remain still and to be quiet. And finally, learn how to stop analyzing everything as if it was a business decision. Only then will you be able to see with Outdoor Eyes.

4) Writing the story:
  "There are too many mosquitoes near the pond. I won't enjoy myself!"
  "There is too much poison ivy on the trail. I won't enjoy myself!"
  "It's raining and it's going to spoil the whole experience!"

Learn how to eliminate writing the story before it even unfolds. By eliminating prejudices of a preconceived experience, you will be pleasantly surprised of how great it really was. You have no idea what lies ahead and if you write the story before it evens occurs, you might as well not even go. Learn how to avoid all prejudices and ignore all discomforts. Only then will you be able to see with Outdoor Eyes.

5) Nothing new syndrome:
  "I've already been here before and there is nothing new to see."
  "How many time do we have to see the same things?"
  "I can tell you how much time it takes to go from here to there."

Nature is constantly changing. In fact, if you visited the same place for the rest of your life, there still would be new and exciting nature photograph opportunities everyday. In fact, if you happen to know how much time it takes to go from one place to another, you haven't experienced that particular area at all. Learn to realize that there are always new possibilities, even from a place that you have visited over and over. Only then will you be able to see with Outdoor Eyes.