PLACE
I live in a very small community in Ghana called the village of Ayanful with a population under 120. where running water and electricity are not daily yet am grateful for the experiences that come along with, wildlife, forest, and organic food. While city life might have its benefits from daily electricity and running water and the internet, for instance, it may be more challenging for city dwellers to experience the kind of wildness Kingsolver writes about, but it’s not impossible. Urban parks, gardens, and green spaces can provide a connection to nature, even if it’s not as vast or untouched as wilderness areas.
Additionally, city dwellers can seek out experiences that allow them to reconnect with the natural world, in a different sense by introducing community gardens, urban parks and green spaces, nature reserves, and wildlife areas and offering outdoor programs and activities, such as hiking groups, outdoor yoga classes, or nature walks.
While these experiences may not be the same as immersing oneself in the wilderness, they can still provide a sense of connection to the natural world and promote a sense of well-being and peace.
As I sat on the beach, watching the waves roll in, I felt a sense of peace washing over me. The sound of the water, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the smell of the salty air all combined to transport me to a place of serenity. This picture was taken on a family trip at the beach and serves as a poignant reminder of happier times and the importance of family bonds.
I resonate with Barbara Kingsolver’s emphasis on the importance of preserving natural landscapes and our connection to them and I couldn’t agree more. In her work, she highlights the untouched, natural areas that allow us to reconnect with the earth and our place within it. Arguing that humans have lost touch with their place within the ecosystem, leading to environmental degradation and social injustices. Kingsolver emphasizes the need to recognize the interconnectedness of human and natural systems and to adopt a more humble and reciprocal approach to our relationship with the earth. She draws on her own experiences as a farmer and a mother to illustrate the value of living in harmony with nature.
Susan B. Taylor’s article, “The New Sisterhood of Black Female Homesteaders,” also comes to mind. While focusing on homesteading and sustainability, Taylor’s work touches on the theme of Reconnecting with one’s heritage and the natural world. My experience of finding peace and connection to my family at the beach echoes this idea. On the other hand,
Berry’s concept of the “bedrock of democracy” – the idea that a healthy democracy relies on a connection to the land and local communities – also resonates with my reflection. My experience of finding peace and connection with my family at the beach suggests that this natural landscape serves as a kind of “bedrock” for my sense of identity and community.
I thought back to the last time my family was together, laughing and playing in this very spot. My children’s giggles, my parents’ smiles – it was a moment of pure joy, one that I’d carried with me ever since.
But life had taken its toll since then. As a single mother raising four young women in a community that often frowned upon women’s progress, I’d faced my share of challenges. There were times when the weight of responsibility felt crushing and when the struggles seemed insurmountable.
Yet, in moments like these, by the ocean, I felt a sense of connection to something deeper and more meaningful. The natural world had a way of putting things into perspective, of reminding me of what truly mattered.
As I looked out at the waves, I felt a sense of gratitude for this place, for the peace it brought me, and for the connection it gave me to my family and my heritage. It was a reminder that, no matter where life took me, I would always carry this sense of wildness, this connection to the natural world, with me.
As I sat there, the sun beginning to set over the ocean, I knew that I would carry this peace, this sense of connection, back with me into my daily life and that it would sustain me through even the toughest of times.
SOURCE
Kingsolver, B. (2002). Knowing our place. In Small Wonder (pp. 1-14). HarperCollins.
Taylor, S. B. (2020). The new sisterhood of black female homesteaders. Yes Magazine, 34-39.
Susan B. Taylor’s article “The New Sisterhood of Black Female Homesteaders
Hi Francisca!
I love how your background and perspective shapes your reflection of the importance of place to our integral being, especially your emphasis on the balance between rural and urban life. I too believe that the city can still be a place full of nature if we chose to incorporate more natural food into our every day lives by way of homesteading!
Hi Francisca,
Your reflection on the differences between city life and your time in Ayanful effectively shows the importance of staying connected to nature. The personal stories you shared about your family and interactions with the ocean highlight how helpful these experiences are for grounding us. Your thoughts on community values and environmental awareness serve as powerful reminders of nature’s profound benefits, no matter where we reside.