Nature is to Nurture

Nature inspires humans in ways that no other force can. Without the presence of nature in my life, I wouldn't be the same person I am today. I would still be sitting on the couch letting life pass by and not even glancing back at it. One day I took the step of embracing nature by going on a bike ride. On that very ride nature inspired me to change my lifestyle and change who I was. It guided me throughout the struggles I was facing and the ones that I would have to face.  

As an avid cyclist I spend a large portion of my time riding outdoors, whether it is in the woods or on the street. Cycling isn’t just about riding and physical activity, it’s about embracing the little things nature has to offer. A day could be made better simply by taking a walk in the woods and feeling the sunshine on your face. If you give nature you’re time, you will be rewarded with memories, happiness and enlightenment. This time spent in nature is special and is different for each person. For me it’s not only important to my physical health, but also my mental health. One of my favorite quotes is by Gerald G. May and states “Whatever the deep guidance (of nature) is, it frees me from bondage to mind-thoughts. It liberates me from agendas, strategies, conditioning's, and preconceived images.” I believe Gerald was impacted by nature in the same way that I was. Nature has freed me of the stresses in the world and was able to sooth my mind and body of the struggles in life.

I believe nature has the power to change someone’s ideals, lifestyle and even beliefs. I let nature into my life and not a day goes by where I regret that decision. 

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Outside Cultural Event- Miya Masaoka

The first outside cultural event I attended was a performance by Miya Masaoka. The performance was labeled as Koto with Electronics. The performance was a mix of everyday sounds such as crickets and water droppings to pulsating drone noises. This was her way of giving a unique blend and new age sound in music. These sounds were accompanied by the Koto- a sting like instrument. With this instrument Miya was able to imitate different interpretative sounds and blend those with traditional Koto playing. There was no program for the performance and no setlist like most concerts which was surprising to me. Instead Miya played continuously in a constant strand of melodic sounds. These sounds represented everything from daily to the sounds of nature.     

My impression of the performance could be described as confused yet curious. My personal music preferences include everything from classic rock to classical, yet during this performance I couldn’t categorize Miya’s music. The strange rhythmic pattern and melodies could be described as alien. As a musician I just couldn’t find common ground with what she was playing, but that is just my taste coming into play. Miya’s music was very peaceful and I am sure many people enjoyed her continuous playing which resembled a constant flow of a river, but it just wasn’t for me. Overall I am happy that I got to try something new. 

Word count: 229