Hermit, can I talk to you?

Ugh not again...

Hermit, you're always on your computer! How come you never want to go outside anymore? I remember the days you used to play and explore, so many little things in nature filled you with wonder and curiosity! Now your screen is the only thing that lights up your eyes. 

The more you appreciate what life has to offer, the things you think are important will become trivial and insignificant. That's why I signed you up for a mentorship program. She should be here any minute...

Hi Hermit, my name is Awe!

When Awe stepped in the doorway, a sense of vastness overcame Hermit and his mother, beyond their immediate understanding. She knew how to make people feel small, in a way that makes the universe seem bigger. All their personal concerns seemed unimportant, and they felt that they were in the presence of something greater than themselves. Time faded away, and expanded into the abyss, her smile washed a wave of goosebumps over their skin and evoked vocal bursts.

Hermit, come outside! 

Hermit left his computer in the dark confines of his room and walked outside, feeling the warm embrace of the sun.

I don't ever remember, experiencing nature like this. It was like I stepped outside for the first time, and truly connected with the life force of the forest. I recognized the sacredness of the space, and I felt radically transformed. No words needed to be said, she taught me to just be. I became less aware of myself and was integrated into my surroundings. It was a moment I will never forget.

Awe was a very ordinary person, who found the extraordinary in the simplest of things! Each day we walked along the path, she told me stories about how she saved someone's life, witnessed someone die, helped a child to be born, listened to masterpieces of classical music, hiked in nature, and helped many people.  

She believed in being connected to a larger community and prioritizing the needs of the collective. In this way, I found her to be a very generous, and altruistic person. I admired Awe, as she was very creative, ethical, accepting, curious, positive, and humble. She had a way of putting my problems into perspective, by disregarding my sense of self-importance. 

Now that we have been taking these walks more often and spending more time together, you will start to notice a lot of things! Do you realize that you focus more on the scenery than yourself, that you feel more positive emotions and a wide range of them too, less aggressive and decreased feelings of sadness? 

Hey Awe! I noticed that my stress levels, anxiety, and depression, have decreased the more time I spend around you. My mother even noticed that  I am less disconnected and isolated than before. Why is that? 

Yeah I have!

Don't forget these lessons, Hermit. There will be a day when I am no longer around, and you will have to search for my spirit in the places you go, the people you meet, and the life you pursue. 

One day, on our nature walk, a storm overcame the sky. A rumbling of thunder overpowered the land, and monsoons of rain poured from black clouds. We could barely see the path in front of us. With a sharp crackle of lightning, the tree in front of us cracked in half and fell to the forest floor, with a heavy thud. I screamed and was conquered by a deep, primordial fear. I was frozen in place and hopelessly paralyzed by a heavy sense of terror and dread. After I had found such peace in nature, I had never viewed it as threatening. I couldn't help but develop respect and fear for nature's destructive dark side.