The feel of a canoe gunnel at the thigh, the splash of flying spray in the face, the rhythm of the snowshoe trail, the beckoning of far-off hills and valleys, the majesty of the tempest, the calm and silent presence of the trees that seem to muse and ponder in their silence; the trust and confidence of small living creatures, the company of simple men; these have been my inspiration and my guide. Without them I am nothing.
Interpretation
This quote expresses a deep connection to nature as a source of inspiration and guidance in life.
In this quote, Grey Owl reflects on the profound impact that nature and its elements have had on his life. He describes various experiences, from the feel of a canoe gunnel to the presence of trees, emphasizing that these moments and connections with the natural world have shaped his identity and purpose. Without this relationship with nature, he feels he would lack meaning and direction.
In practice
This quote can inspire a discussion on the importance of nature in our lives during a community meeting.
Late in August the lure of the mountains becomes irresistible. Seared by the everlasting sunfire, I want to see running water again, embrace a pine tree, cut my initials in the bark of an aspen, get bit by a mosquito, see a mountain bluebird, find a big blue columbine, get lost in the firs, hike above timberline, sunbathe on snow and eat some ice, climb the rocks and stand in the wind at the top of the world on the peak of Tukuhnikivats.
Walking . . . is how the body measures itself against the earth.
It is extraordinary to see the sea; what a spectacle! She is so unfettered that one wonders whether it is possible that she again become calm.
What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives?
...if we want to meet the obligations of our civilization and our culture which are to create communities for our children that provide them with the same opportunities for dignity and enrichment as the communities that our parents gave us, we've got to start by protecting that infrastructure; the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, the landscapes that enrich us.
In my garden, after a rainfall, you can faintly, yes, hear the_x000D_ _x000D_ breaking of new blooms.
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