| Sunday Musing:Nature is an antidote for all that ails | Send to a friend |
| Saturday, 14 January 2012 20:21 |
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By Munir Daya Many people find comfort in crowds because it makes them feel in close contact with the world. People socialize because they cannot live by themselves. They need to belong somewhere but once the crowds dissipate and friends have gone home, the old feeling of isolation, not loneliness, returns. In the free time we have, we may rush to see a movie in the darkened hall of a theatre or have our minds tuned to televisions both of which allow other media to reach out to us and occupy our minds. In life, the burden of our own pursuits robs us of splendid sights which have the potential to rejuvenate, repair or merely drive us to rejoice. This way we miss out on the splendours of the world and deprive ourselves an opportunity of peace of mind that comes naturally to us that we however fail to perceive. Those who perceive the trees around them, and those who look at the stars in the evening, and who remember to catch a glimpse of the sunlight while at work know they are part of something larger, something real and something permanent. Many of us are far from nature. We don’t enjoy the white sands, meadows and valleys, deep woods or wildlife sanctuaries not far from us. Why can’t we enjoy the few trees we have on our streets or stop by the Indian Ocean or stare out of our homes at the moon, stars and the setting sun or at the fluffy clouds that appear like snowflakes suspended in the sky? Nature is a great healer and reminds us of how insignificant we and our problems are in this wonderful world. We take the water of the world for granted when we cannot live a day without it; we take the trees for granted unknowing that without their quiet existence, the poisoned urban air would damn our bodies, we take all the plants and crops for granted without remembering that they feed us daily and that some of these heal our ailments and dreaded diseases. We thereby deprive ourselves of natural therapeutic treasures around us. Pursuits like walking, exercising, swimming and cycling are free and healthy for our body and mind but instead we prefer the television which has a limited enriching value. In all this we don’t pause to ponder over the exquisite craftsmanship of the One who created the cassava, the red and green tomatoes, the spices, the fruits, the hundred greens and plenty more; all creations of an Architect whose work can never be rivaled. When you fly into Dar es Salaam the next time catch a glimpse of the ground below. The sight of rows and rows of small houses will remind you of how large Dar es Salaam is and how larger still, is the world and the universe. It will remind you on how small our problems, desires, weaknesses and importance of our lives are. How small we are compared to the depth and breadth of the ocean and the millions who live in the city and in the world! If we truly understand, love and respect nature the ugliness from our lives would dissolve. Evil acts cannot spring forth from people who live life happily because they return to the roots of nature that provides an antidote to all that ails. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
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