The End of the White Rhino

What are you going to do to help prevent the extinction of animals? Poaching is not necessary. The horns of these animals are made of the same material as our fingernails and hair. Why is it so coveted throughout the world? If there is no demand then there should be no supply. The people who poach and kill many of these innocent creatures are doing it out of desperation to feed and support their families. They are forced. The extinction problem is a human caused problem.

Humans have an obsession with believing we are indestructible and our actions hold no consequences. Quite the contrary, animals such as the White Rhino coexisted with dinosaurs for millions of years before our existence. We single handily destroyed this species. For what? To exploit their horns and carve designs on them? Supposedly according to ancient culturales they held healing powers. However, we are not as ignorant as our ancestors. We have science that has proven we do not need any of those materials from a Rhino or any other animal such as elephants, tigers, pangolins and more.

We must come together to preserve what is late of the wildlife. Humans created this problem. Now, humans have to solve it.

What will you do to help?

My First Experience in a Winter Wonderland

I finally got to experience snow, at the young, ripe age of 27! Being a native Floridian, I never got to experience snow. Snow is a mesmerizing form of science. Frozen water. Maybe it is because I have never experienced snow, that I am able to appreciate it in all this natural awe. This is picture from February 2017 in Brattleboro, Vermont. This is a creek in the backyard of the house we were visiting.

I simply found myself just standing outside and experiencing my surroundings through my senses. Feeling the cold air as the wind cascaded against me. Smelling snow for the first time, is quite like smelling rain, they have their own distinct smells. Staring at the icy creek, wanting to stand out, but knowing that with enough force the ice could break through. Giving you that exhilarating sensation of the unknown. Listening to every footstep as the snow crunches beneath your feet. Most importantly, just being able to see snow and realizing that it is exactly like every book, picture or movie you have ever encountered describing snow. It simply is breathtaking.

Philosophical Moment: Just Stop and Listen

Have you ever just stopped to listen to the sounds all around you? To inhale and exhale the scent of the earth? Yes, the earth has a unique smell. In the morning, when the ground is full of dew, there is a certain scent. Then as the day wears on and the sun is beating down, there is a different more neutral scent. At dusk and nightfall, the earth yet again, smells different with the coolness of the air.

As the morning comes, the earth is stirring during feeding time for most creatures. Listening to birds as they sing to each other. Right now it is Spring in Florida. I am lucky enough to live in an area where we have “woods” in the back. In the rainy season there is a creek that forms and we get to see turtles, frogs in every stage of life, to predatory birds, babies that are bunnies, birds, small fish, and so much more. On my runs, with Tolkien of course, we spot eagles soaring above us. They are indeed majestic.

When I run, I use that time to reconnect with nature. I block out everything from the day, all the stress of the modern world. I just allow myself to literally become one with nature. I find myself just as inquisitive as my pup, as we go on trails. We both look for alligators (duh, it is Florida), in the canals, or different fish and even snakes! This is time to listen to the wind as it moves through the trees. I’ll get all “Pocahontas” for a minute…I do “Listen to the colors of the wind” and (“Listen with your heart” is tattooed on me). Something about the meaning behind that song has always resonated with me since I was a child. It is a beautiful story the earth has to speak to us, we just have to listen.

Even with the cars on the street driving by as we run, it is easy to tune them out and just focus on my breathing and what the earth has to offer. When I listen to the sounds of the wind, rustling of the leaves on the ground, the crunching of sticks and brush by animals hidden from sight, it brings a sense of awareness. We are not alone. Other sentient beings exist and live among us. It is very easy to forget that in our mundane lives. Just because you have a pet, it does not equate to connecting with your inner soul and the earth. Most of our animals are our family and are given a sense of privilege already, so they do not count.

Take at least one day a week to go outside and just, listen. Listen to the sounds of the earth. If you do not live somewhere where you can just go in your yard, then go to the park, beach, river, lake, forest, whatever natural area you can find. Take a notebook, and just sit and listen. Write down what you hear.  Write down how you feel. Is there a new sense of self? Sense of awareness? Awareness of yourself or of other things? Sense of peace and harmony? I would love for you all to come back and write on this post and share what you experienced. It is amazing what one day in nature can do for your sanity, hectic life, and just a self-love project.

Nature Reflection- The Simple Admirations that are Forgotten

Trees. Trees are some of the most majestic forces on the planet. Trees grow to unmet heights, they are the saviors of the natural world. Many small creatures call trees home. They raise their young and form beautiful families. Trees provide protection, food, and most importantly- oxygen. The very air we breathe stems from trees. With their long strong trunks that can with stand hurricane force winds. Trees indicate when there is a beautiful breeze, from their long limber branches swaying side to side. My most favorite sight is a huge predatory bird perched high above. How very lucky are we to be graced by something so simple, yet so beautiful. 🌿🌳