I inherited my love of being outdoors from my family. Growing up in Uganda, the outdoors was our playground. My siblings and I would play barefoot in the woods where we’d climb trees and treat the twisting roots as our jungle gym. We’d hike up mountains in our backyard where, when we got to the top, it seemed like the whole world was spread out in front of us. Nature has always been a part of my life, no matter where I live. For me, it’s not only being outside, but being able to see all the little things, that makes the outdoors so beautiful.
In Uganda, there weren’t many of the things that you find here in America, so we played outside! It helped that we were homeschooled: as soon as we’d finished our work, we were off to explore. I would play jump rope everyday in the front yard, or pickup soccer with my brothers and their friends.
Being outside was as natural as breathing.
No one stayed inside, because it was always hot and there was no air conditioning. In the dry season, we’d go to a watering hole and swim with our friends or sit in the shade under a tree and play mancala in the dirt.
Nowadays, my life is very different.
I’m inside more than I am outside – and I can’t go barefoot everywhere. Although I have different hobbies, I still love nature. It’s just that my love is manifest in different ways.
When I’m stressed, I go outside and take a walk in my backyard, which happens to be 40 acres of hills and mountains. Animals scurry under rocks when I walk by. The fresh air and sunshine always calm me and put things into perspective. Oftentimes, when I’m lacking inspiration for a new song or book I’m writing, I’ll climb a mountain or go for a hike and just sit in silence, soaking in the beauty of the world and the peace that comes to me when I immerse myself in nature.
Another way I get outside is when my family and I go to the park to play volleyball, soccer, and basketball. I’m not the best at sports, but we all play together and enjoy ourselves. If I had been born into a different family, I might never have learned to love nature like I do today.
I’m not planning on pursuing a profession outdoors, but that doesn’t mean that my connection to nature isn’t going to be important: being outside always puts things into perspective and it gives me inspiration for my music. If I become a music teacher or a musician, I will draw inspiration for my music from the leaves that change color, the morning frost that silvers the grass, and the smell of the earth after a heavy rain. I can teach future students to see these small details and love them as much as I do.
No matter where I go in my life (be it a big city or a rural town), and no matter what I do (teaching or playing my guitar), I can simply step outside and appreciate the beauty all around me. The day-to-day busyness of life can cause us to forget that sense of wonder, so I will strive to love the little things and inspire others to do the same.
– March, 2020
For more information on our Outdoor Careers Internship, contact Education Director, Ben Sherman.
