While walking up and down stairs (24 up, 24 down, repeat) and among the 18 buildings at deserted Brookhaven College, I stumble across the Memorial Garden. It is a small, shady space tucked away between the Science/Math/Social Science and Fine Arts buildings. There is a large stone commemorating the somewhat overgrown area, and it is very peaceful. I do feel a sense of calm here as I walk through the thick grass. With a clear, blue sky overhead and only the sound of rustling leaves and distant bird calls, I am totally relaxed. There are three other large stones with inspirational inscriptions.
The first one is: “Man Masters Nature Not By Force, But By Understanding.” – Jacob Bronowski. According to the editors of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Bronowski — who was born in 1908 and died in 1974 — was a Polish-born British mathematician and man of letters who eloquently presented the case for the humanistic aspects of science. His last major project was the authorship and narration of the BBC television series The Ascent of Man (1973), a luminous account of science, art and philosophy in human history.
Our relationship with nature is much like human relationships. We must nurture both and that includes understanding. Farmers cannot leave fields bare and plant wheat where there were drought-resistant grasses and expect anything but the Dust Bowl. People must put effort into their relationships. Doing the bare minimum will not suffice. They cannot “plant” only what they like; they must consider others’ feelings.
The next one is: “One Touch of Nature Makes the Whole World Kin.” – William Shakespeare. As the English national poet and world’s greatest dramatist, nature was often featured in his writing. According to the British Library, “in As You Like It the Forest of Arden challenges its inhabitants, upending their expectations and upsetting viewers. Ultimately, [it] is pleasant countryside, a place where lovers meet and happy endings are possible.”
The last one is: “The Question is Not What You Look At, But What You See.” – Henry David Thoreau. Over two years, Thoreau immersed himself in nature by living in a cabin near Walden Pond, a lake in Concord, Massachusetts, resulting in the book Walden reflecting his experiences. In nature, what do you look at? The sky, the trees, the animals, the water, etc. But what do you see? The powerful ebb and flow of life, the harmony of the landscape, the symbiosis of plants and animals, etc.
When considering Covid-19, what do you look at? Economic upheaval, hundreds of thousands suffering with illness, dwindling supplies, etc. What do you see in the current pandemic? Neighbors helping each other, family bonds growing stronger, kindness from strangers, etc. It all depends on your perspective.
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