All it
takes is just three days to make the world turn one eighty on its axis. Three
days of being away from the city. Three days away from WiFi and cellular signal.
Three days I lived in a different universe or a bubble that is natural
environment based. I have been fortunate with the opportunity not just briefly
explore the park, but delved in with such an immerse experience, one I would
never forget in my entire lifetime.
Blue
Mountain National Park has ignited the fire that has been lost for a while now.
The three days out and about had made me feel more alive than I have ever been.
I feel there are reasons why I am drawn to the natural environment. There is
such an adrenaline to be out hiking and admire how nature is so magical. I
believe the natural environment is its own universe such that I find myself,
“away from the world of material consumption and in a place apart from everyday
worries (Thompson and Aspinall, 2011, p. 234).” I believe there is this idea
that I have to figure out life. Every day I find myself face with anxieties
about my future. Some of the thoughts are whether I have determined the proper
path, whether I will be qualified to get into a master’s program with not so
good of a grade point average, or become an optometrist I had set myself to be.
I realized being in the environment allowed me to reflect about the ideals I
have for the future. It might not provide me answers to all the dilemmas, but
it is a start to learn more about myself.
Visiting
places with a group of people be different. I identified myself to be a solo
wanderer. But I have reached an epiphany that traveling with a group definitely
serves an advantage to travel further than you can by yourself. Thoroughly
examining the first day visit from the Katoomba Falls to the Three Sister’s
lookout point, I can positively attest I would not been as brave if I was not
with people. According to the data from
my iPhone health application, I have climbed about 85 floors, give or take and
walked about 9.3 kilometers ;therefore, our group has gone through just as
much! During the hike, we were challenged physically with sweat dripping down
our face, lips drying out from dehydration, muscles tightening up in the
process climbing up the 900+ stairs. We were challenged mentally when we were
confronted with the choice of either putting ourselves into a claustrophobic
situation as we go through the squeeze or avoid the confrontation completely,
and the daunting 900+ stairs made us questioned whether we have the will to
even climb that many stairs. We were challenged emotionally when we didn’t know
whether the fear is going to get the best of us when we are inside the squeeze
where it is dark and small or surprised at the fact that we were capable to
climb the 900+ stairs and was rewarded with a spectacular view. As individuals,
we are challenged with factors that we can control, but accept the fact that we
cannot control forces beyond us. We can go beyond the limits as long as we have
encouragements from others. I believe such encouragements alleviate our fear of
not being capable and replace with the mantra that we can, and that we are not
alone in the journey. It is beautiful that as a group, the perception changes.
We are humans, social beings that love to be surrounded by people.
There is
this idea that this generation is disconnected from nature; However, Nicki has
stated in one of the lectures, and Humans are always connected to nature,
therefore, disputing the initial idea. I believe there needs to a promotion to
into the outdoors not only for the health benefits, but also recognition of
preserving the that we this time. I acknowledged a person has just as much of
an impact in the environment and vice versa of the environment impacting the
person. There is a relation such
that “that visiting green or natural outdoor
environments is associated with higher levels of physical activity (Thompson
and Aspinall, 2011, p. 254).” Promoting human health in the environmental
setting seems optimistic. I think it is important to urge people about the
preserving the environment or else we can lose the main source that we depend
on. I have to give gratitude to conservation agencies for encouraging
environmental awareness. Without them, National Parks would be unmaintained;
people would be unable to benefit health wise nor be able admire the beauty of
our natural environment. I have a strong desire to strengthen the connection of
the environment. My biggest fear is that one day, we will end up losing natural
environment. What represent the meaning of life will become meaningless.
The trip to
the Blue Mountains has provided me the opportunity to recognize it is better to
be in a group than to be on your own. It has also recognized that everyday
problems cease to exist the moment I allow myself to enjoy what is out there.
Most of all, I feel I am more aware of what is being at stake if we continue
down the destructive path instead of preserving the natural environment.
Reference
Thompson, C. W., & Aspinall, P. A. (2011). Natural Environments and their Impact on Activity, Health, and Quality of Life. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 3(3), 230-260. doi:10.1111/j.1758-0854.2011.01053.x
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