April: On Nature
April 9
Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from John Lubbock’s The Use of Life.
Something happened, and I don’t know when exactly—we can probably point our fingers at those who perpetuate and glorify the hustle culture, even before them, though we’re not here to do that—but something happened where we now believe that if we are not working or being productive every waking moment, then it is a waste of time.
You must firmly plant your feet and reject this notion. It’s disgustingly capitalist, and it’s patently false. We are humans after all, not robots.
We are part of nature, and do not exist to simply deplete it of its resources. It is perfectly natural and beautiful to rest, as we can see by observing nature, the animals, the insects, the birds—even the trees will rest in winter.
So, please, the next time those voices call out to you, shut—no, slam the door on them and tell them to not disturb you. You have more important things to do than to listen to them, like lying on the grass under the trees, or listening to the sound of water by a creek, or watching the clouds float across the sky.
It is all beautiful, and by no means a waste of time.
