Recently I was visited by a very good friend who had just returned from a long walk in the woods, and I asked her what she had observed. 'Nothing in particular,' she replied. I might have been incredulous had I not been accustomed to such responses, for long ago I became convinced that the seeing see little.
How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods and see nothing worthy of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough, shaggy bark of a pine. In spring I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a bud, the first sign of awakening Nature after her winter's sleep. I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle of Nature is revealed to me.
-Helen Keller, Three Days to See (1933)
NB: Helen Keller was deaf-blind.
Now I know many of you will have seen this poster before (especially if you came to visit the Sustainable Residence last year), but in a city where people don't even feel comfortable greeting each other on the street - it's not just that people don't do it, but people who try quickly realise it's inappropriate behaviour - I think it's important to remind ourselves of the the inestimable value of community and of couple of ways we can build a community.
And if anyone thinks the poster's suggestions are simply wishful thinking, you're overdue for a trip to Sackville, NB.
Oh Sackville, how I miss you!
Now I know many of you will have seen this poster before (especially if you came to visit the Sustainable Residence last year), but in a city where people don't even feel comfortable greeting each other on the street - it's not just that people don't do it, but people who try quickly realise it's inappropriate behaviour - I think it's important to remind ourselves of the the inestimable value of community and of couple of ways we can build a community.
1 comment:
I love this poster! It is a beautiful reminder of where our values should be placed and I think based on what you have written, a trip to Sackville is long overdue for most of us.
When will you be going home to Canada?
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