There was a day this semester, at the end of class, when Dr.Chapman made a point of taking us outside. We stood as a cohort at the base of this bridge surrounded by trees, and we took in the land around us. All its beauty and complexity, its movement and connection. Dr. Chapman made a point I’ve thought of everyday since; simply allowing yourself to be in nature will heal you. 

For a very long time nature was something I interacted with in segments. Often, I didn’t or couldn’t understand how it could be so soothing and so intimidating all at the same time. In these past few years I’ve started learning to appreciate the nature around me, and this semester especially I’ve come to understand how land, ecology, and nature are sources of knowledge. Spiritual, Communal, Relational, etc. 

When Dr. Chapman stopped class to take us outside, I appreciated the change of scenery but when we actually got outside I started to feel us become a group. Not simply bound by a classroom, but with a purpose. We walked over to the bridge that leads from the quad to the Rich Building. I cross over that bridge almost every day, and though I thought about it I never actually went underneath to explore. When we picked that of all spots, it caught me off guard. I always saw those trees as beyond my reach. It felt adventurous at first, and then it felt like recentering. 

We climbed down together, with just a hint of danger but knowing that we all had each other’s backs and were looking out for one another. Surrounded by trees and with the remnants of a river behind us, we convened at the base of the bridge. Emory was all around us, but this was just separate enough. Separate enough that I felt my breathing slow. I felt the softness of the land. I thought about its history, who’d served it and how it was being served. Who it had provided for, and how lucky and upset I was that we got to be there absorbing it. I think we all felt that, each in our own way. We talked about what it meant that we were standing there. How beautiful it was, how everything was alive and moving and contributing around us. We talked about our homes, how important it is to preserve the nature around us, and how our homes were changing even as we spoke. It was the first time I remember seeing a lot of my classmates faces. It was nice to see us all engaged and smiling, committed to our little moment. I’ve never had a class that walked outside for the sake of it, just to recognize the power and healing that happens when you step into nature. At the end, Dr. Chapman asked us how we wanted to exit, and if we wanted to go our separate ways from there. We chose to be adventurous for just a little longer, and together we climbed back up this steep non-path. It was fun. 

At the time I didn’t fully understand what Dr. Chapman meant by saying being in nature alone will start to heal you. But as we went further into our class I started recognizing how much better I felt when I allowed myself to notice and take in the ecology around me. When I cross the bridge I take the time to look at my surroundings. At the sway of the trees, the blossoming flowers, the falling leaves and the animals that live there. I take a moment to breathe. I try to walk on the dirt if I can, and feel how much better the earth feels underneath me than concrete. When I see bees and insects, I respect their space, I appreciate their purpose, and I try not to be afraid, which if you know me is quite the step. I think about the space I take up, how I contribute and how I can give back. I’m starting to understand the soul of the ecology around me.