Lessons From a Nature Preserve

Recently, my wife Rachel and I had the privilege of visiting a beautiful wildlife refuge near our home. It was a beautiful experience. So beautiful that it moved me to write this.

It reminded me that this is how Florida used to be.

There was something profoundly beautiful about the simplicity of this park. It was a boardwalk that went over a wetland. Not much to look at if you were looking for spectacular and exciting vistas. But if you looked close enough the amount of wildlife was quite spectacular. We saw wood storks, alligators, turtles, and many other beautiful vegetation.

It recalled to me the idea that I don’t slow down enough in my life. I seem to always be moving to the next thing, and not savoring the present moment enough. It reminded me that as a society, we seem too interested in getting rid of the old to make room for the new. I felt sad about that.

I believe that progress is good. But I also believe in holding onto valuable parts of our past. This includes nature. It is beautiful that somebody had the sense to preserve this land.

One of the discussions my wife and I had while walking through the park was this concept of human beings just taking over land that they wanted by force. It has happened thousands of times in the world’s history. The idea of one culture dominating another is not a new concept. It is still happening in many parts of the world. This idea that one person or group can decide to take over another group without that group’s permission is unfortunately still in the minds of many as an acceptable practice.

The reason this came up in discussion is that south Florida is habitable, because people came here and drained all the swamps to create neighborhoods and cities. The land that was here was destroyed in order to make room for human beings to live. I add to this by living here.  I must go within my soul to understand my part and responsibility in this.

If I have power, it does not give me permission to cancel out another person’s right to their choices. I cannot overrule their rights to self-determination. If they don’t give me permission, I need to look elsewhere to get my needs met. They don’t need to surrender to me, for me to get my needs met. It’s a sad statement that human beings have done this. We have demanded from others when the other group does not give that permission.

I believe that this painful conditioning of our species can be challenged and changed. There are many people who believe in the dignity of people, and that people have the right to make their own choices. I thank God these people exist.

Can you imagine a world where an engineer went to a forest and sat with the birds and other forest animals before they cut their trees down? Can you imagine a world where engineers looking to change a neighborhood asked its current residents how they feel about this change?

I believe that dialogue, empathy, and listening to each other are possible solutions to experience of dominating and control of societies and resources.

As I write this, I am aware of the belief that the land is meant to be used for human beings. I believe this to be true. We absolutely are supposed to use the resources that are available to us. Our Creator put these here for us to use and be prosperous with. I believe the problem comes when we use these resources to exploit those who don’t give permission to give up those resources. This is where conversations need to begin. This is where negotiation comes in. This is where empathy, compassion, and a willingness to hear the other person’s point of view become critical. When you are asking someone to give something up, you need to be compassionate. You need to understand their experience and be willing to negotiate a workable solution. Dominating and controlling have no place in this conversation.

While is not very practical to wait for a direct answer from the squirrels and the birds before building homes where their current homes in the trees are, you can have some degree of empathy. Maybe it means building a park nearby where the birds can relocate to. Maybe it means replanting trees in the neighborhood after the other ones are taken down. Whatever it takes to have empathy and a willingness to place the needs of others in the conversation it is important to do it.

I ask you to consider the lessons from the nature preserve before making a request of someone. Consider their world. Consider their experience in life. Consider where they have been. If you don’t know these things, consider asking. The analogy of taking over a forest to build homes applies to your everyday life. If you have a need, that’s fine. We all have needs. I ask you to consider the impact of your decision of the lives of others. I ask you to think about how your request will impact others.

We are all connected. We all matter. We all are influencing the world around us. Today, consider how your decisions make a difference in this world, and how you can listen to the needs of others. This world becomes more loving when we check in with each other and ask how we can make the world a more peaceful place.