“I spent some part of every year at the farm until I was twelve or thirteen years old. The life that I led there was full of charm and so is the memory of it yet. I can call back the faint odors of wildflowers, the sheen of rain-washed foliage, the clatter of raindrops when the wind shook the trees, and the far-off hammering of woodpeckers. I can call back the prairie-and its loneliness and peace”
Adapted from Mark Twain, My Autobiography
Is it important for people to spend time outdoors and to learn to appreciate their natural environment?
In the high paced life humans live in today, it is common that the first choice for many when given time for leisure is some sort of indoor activity, such as taking a nap or catching up on a TV show. People tend to overlook the benefits of spending a bit of time outdoors and appreciating the beauty of nature. As seen through literary and contemporary examples, stepping outside into the natural environment is crucial to living a balanced and happy life.
Much like Mark Twain did, Henry David Thoreau also wrote about his experiences with nature and advocated that others follow his lead. In Walden, he tells about how he built a cabin out in the woods by himself and lived in it for two years. Thoreau chose to live a very simplistic life to get away from the materialistic frenzy that was corrupting others’ lives. He learned how to cultivate his own beans and rice, while still keeping in contact with people through markets. Within these two years, he pondered a lot about his own life and what society should strive to be like, eventually producing his renowned novel. Although the example Thoreau set was more extreme, he shows that it was possible to get away from the chaos found in the busy manufacturing life that was sweeping the nation in the mid 1800s and relax.
Following the same mindset as Thoreau, therapists and professionals in society today often suggest that a daily walk outside can relieve stress and help free the mind. A friend of mine recently had a panic attack due to the huge amount of work she had between college applications, schoolwork, and her extracurricular commitments. Her parents advised her to go outside for 20 minutes everyday as a quick break when needed to calm her mind and help regain her focus. She noted that by doing this, she had time to reflect about the good in her day and it was nice to not have to worry because she was not surrounded by stress indicators. In fact, she said she actually got more done by taking a walk in nature than if she tried to stay bottled up inside and complete her work. My friend’s success proves that taking a break and being with nature does not hinder progress; it actually aides advancement.
Because Thoreau and my friend took time to appreciate the outdoors, they were able to become much more satisfied with their lives. Fresh air is an effective way to clear the mind and should be used as a measure to find happiness.
I know I should of had a third example but I ran out of time. And I think my second one is pretty weak because I had to make it up.
Also, can I start my first example the way I did (Much like Mark Twain did)? It references the excerpt but I’m not sure if I can do this.
Thanks for your help!