Maria and I have learned a great deal from one another, but lately, she is teaching me a lot more than I’m teaching her. One thing I have learned from her is how to pay attention to nature and appreciate it more than most busy Americans ever get the time or the chance.

I had already learned that I gave up a lot when I wasn’t in nature or nature it. It’s something I need and don’t feel healthy without.

Watching Maria come in from work and charge up, I saw that she thinks every day is beautiful, no matter the temperature or weather. Through my photography, I am learning she is right, and that seeing every day as beautiful is a gift in a world drowning in angry, disconnected humans.

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That lesson was reinforced when I went outside later and found a chilly, cloudy, gray day. “Isn’t today beautiful?” Maria said as we got close.

“Ah, no,” I grumbled, still waking up. I took out my camera and started taking pictures. I saw what she meant. When my eyes are open, it’s always beautiful outside. You don’t know what you are missing.

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Americans are too busy watching their iPhones or earning money to pay much attention to nature. We are fortunate to see it every time we go outside.

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The Peaceable Kingdom