Dan's education

Fay
- October 13, 2008

Dan:

You seem to be so knowledgable about nature.  What steps did you take to get where you are.  I am interested in nature and possible career in the field.  Any suggestions?

Dear Fay:

It's hard to give you a right and complete answer, when I don't know where you are, what you do or how much natural experience you have. If you live, say, downtown New York or Chicago, you may find it hard to be motivated. It's tough to find the natural world in a city these days.

The best and first place you should start is by opening your heart to the real, natural world around you. Always ask yourself questions like, "how does this living thing survive in the artificial environment crated by humans?" Also a good question to ask yourself , "how much friction does my lifestyle create to the earth?"

Pick a natural subject and learn as much as you can. Wild flowers, birds, insects, fish, reptiles and so on, are all good places to start. For example, if you let the wild birds into your heart, they will teach you how to find an appreciation and love for all the living things that live in the bird's environment. You can't help but enhance your compassion for the things you learn about. It will also begin to give you a better understanding of how all lives complement each other.

If you don't have bird feeders, now is a good time to start. Feeding and watching the wild birds will sharpen your senses and will help you be a better wildlife detective. Your walks and field trips will become more interesting once your eyes are now watching for movement and your ears open to any sounds. There are endless benefits from watching the birds. There's no doubt that what you learn about the wild birds will make you a better person.

My passion for the natural world started when I was just a toddler. My mother said I always wanted to be outside. Even as a toddler, I had a curiosity level that would challenge that of any cat. My lifetime of learning came from fond memories placed deep in my heart of butterflies and my mother's garden flowers.

Ask yourself the real reason you want to let Mother Nature into your heart. Money should not have an influence on your decisions. Follow your heart and nature will fulfill your life with compassion, knowledge and understanding. What you learn cam be taught to others who need to know how to find nature's trail.

You also may find the real meaning of spirituality and what your true purpose is here on this blue planet. The timing couldn't be better to start letting nature into you life.

There are volumes to write on this, the most important topic of all. So much I could tell you but you must first start with yourself; who you are and who you want to be. It will lead to how you will be remembered.

Naturally yours,

Dan