I wonder if the really important things I know were learned on an early morning run or sitting around a campfire with family and friends?

I suspect that most of the really good things I know I learned outside of “school”.

This is a Ted talk about nature kindergartens.

That’s a pretty fascinating thing….giving children the opportunity to play and learn outdoors….outside of a traditional classroom.

Listen to the laughter the speaker’s comment gets when she mentions that “it was pretty common for children to play outside. (back in the ’70’s)”

It was pretty common.

We were outside all the time.

What would you do if you stayed inside, anyway?

We didn’t have “Pong” at my house.

I couldn’t play “Pong” even if I wanted to.

“Pong” was pretty pointless and boring.

These tablets….smartphones….satellite dishes….giant televisions…change the game.

And, when I think about it, their presence in our house is my doing.

I brought these things into our lives.

I filled our house with distraction.

But….there is something to be said for spending time out in the natural world.

We need “connection”….so that we are able to recognize the need for and benefits of “protection”.

I want to be optimistic about what Nature will hold for my children as the future unfolds.

I want to be optimistic.

Sometimes, what I hear gives me reason to think that my optimism isn’t warranted.

Maybe these children will fix things as they grow up?