By Maddie Zins
Elm Staff Writer
What does it actually mean to live naturally? We hear the term thrown around a lot, maybe with reckless abandon of the literal definition. Natural has to do with our interactions with the Earth–being mindful of nature. Living is more or less self-explanatory.
But the definition doesn’t stop there; I’d venture to say that there is a connotation of a need for balance that exists in this equation between our lives and the will of the Earth on which we live. It is more than just our living based on natural precepts; it is how we give back to the land today’s society so easily abuses so that we aren’t the only ones who benefit from our actions.
True natural livers would call this our duty to the world. I would just call it kindness. Because really, that’s all this Earth has given us, so why not spread a little back? It’s hard though; sometimes when I’m feeling bogged down I see this goal of a natural lifestyle as something unattainable. When in vacant, desolate moods, I find the idea of living in a shared harmony of kindness in actions both for ourselves and the world (so as to reciprocate the loving kindness it has so eagerly provided for us) to be a great challenge.
To my utmost surprise, the transition to college has furthered rather than stunted my own pursuits of living green, and I would venture to say it has for you as well, even if you didn’t intend for it to.
This column will try to help further explain how easy it is to live naturally in a collegiate environment. Over the rest of this semester and the next, I hope to provide some insight on topics ranging from the restorative, calming yoga classes offered here to more natural choices in the dining hall and even extending to green living in Chestertown.
So keep your eyes out and your spirits high.