Kirstin Timmons- Environmental Surroundings Reflection; Lions Bridge/Noland Trail

 I have mentioned in the past that I am non-religious, however, the prospect of spirituality is one I relate to rather heavily. I grew up with parents who were also ultimately non-religious, however, my father in particular is highly spiritual. To me, nature isn't some way to connect to God or a higher power necessarily but I do use it as a means to connect with myself. On the day of class, I walked to Lion's bridge, and I walked home as well. The walking was nothing new to me as I do it quite often to ease my mind. Out on the Noland trail, I couldn't concentrate. Too many classmates, the lecture bored me out of my skull since I grew up here, and the weather was too hot to be enjoyable. That being said, I later went back out to the trail on a later date by myself. This was when I was truly able to connect to it. While still aware of my surroundings, such as the various dogs being walked about, the dead animals on the side of the trail, and the bugs flying past me, I felt as though I was playing a videogame. Have you ever played sims? It was kind of like that. On autopilot. Taking in surroundings while ultimately feeling as though you're viewing yourself from the outside. Before I knew it a few hours had passed by me easily. Not once did I look at my phone, instead I focused on the overcast sky the day I went out. I focused on the cool breeze pricking the back of my neck, the various crunches of leaves and sticks in the woods as I passed. I ended up picking up a few rocks to add to my collection, a few plants to press as well. Everything about the trail seemed more vibrant despite the more somber atmosphere surrounding it that day. If I hadn't had other things to do back in my dorm I could have easily stayed there for the entirety of the day. Once again I had walked there and walked back. Overall it was a four-hour experience, a typical trip out for me. I tend to do this frequently. I walk around campus regularly, or out to the train tracks. Back home I lay in the grass of my back yard for hours on end, or walk down to the base and back, as far as I can. No matter where it is the wind always feels the same, the grass has its own personality from area to area, the clouds though moving the same feel different. Nature is one of the very few things I can relate to. It is the one place I personally experience flow as discussed in class.