As I close the backdoor shut behind me, I enter a whole new world- a natural world. I’ve stepped into a world rarely entered for relaxation, however; this time is welcome. The fresh, crisp, autumn air clears my head and I feel at one with nature. The whispering of the wind calms me, as I try to suppress the thoughts of my predominantly overwhelming amount of homework and studying that must be done in a timely fashion. We worry so much about time; we are always rushing. But why? How do we allow so much time to escape us each day? I do not have my phone with me, nor am I wearing a watch, so I am, for the first time all day, completely oblivious to the passage of time. One would think I would feel disconnected without being near my phone for even the shortest period of time, but I feel liberated.

My senses are working double-time. I hear the leaves rustling, and see them slowly falling from the naked trees in a back and forth pattern until they finally reach the ground. A rabbit scampers across the yard and under a fence. Where is it going? Does it have somewhere to be? Is it constantly worrying about time as we do, like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland? Could it be friends with that squirrel climbing up the tree next to me, carrying an acorn in its mouth? Are they both late for an underground tea party? A bluejay glides above me, before landing on a tree branch near by. I wonder if this bird knows how majestic and beautiful its gorgeous feathers are. I wonder if it knows how lucky it is to be able to fly about, anywhere it wishes- to see things in such a different and unique perspective; I wonder if it appreciates how fortunate it is to be free, without an agenda. I hear it chirp, calling to other birds. One responds, but it is off in the distance, so I can’t see it. Is it a warning signal? Does it fear me?

Inside, the phone rings. Who’s calling? What do they want? I am not concerned with it. Upon leaving the warm interior of my home and forsaking the electronics that now rule our lives, I entered the natural world, free of distractions, and full of beauty. My fingers become cold and my nose runs. The thought of homework and school resurfaces in my mind, now obstructing the innocence of nature. My thoughts are interrupted by my dog barking beside me, wanting to play. I kick the ball to her, and she runs after it. She is so fast, like lightning. The animals that live here, outside, are all in their natural states. They do not worry about material things: clothing, name brands, money, or conforming to society; they do as they please. They do not live in a world of technology; rather, they live in a simple world. Could that be a better world? We are so disconnected from nature nowadays. We no longer seek answers that can’t be found; instead, answers are readily available by simply typing a question into Google. Is technology actually making us lazier, and in a way, less advanced? Sometimes, I wish we could be more like the birds, and the rabbits, and the squirrels. Sometimes, I wish we could be more relaxed. Sometimes, I wish we could be more free.