My thoughts lately have been about Naturalism and what it means, both generally and to me personally.

You never know what you'll see.

Naturalism in American Literature focuses on the tension between humans and the impersonal forces that act on our lives, such as heredity, environment, our passions and instincts, etc.

Naturalism in Painting involves merely depicting subjects realistically in a natural setting.

Naturalism in Philosophy is related to both of these, but seems to be much more broad.  It can include everything from a simple rejection of supernatural cause and effects to specific ontological or methodological doctrines, some of which are better labeled as scientism.

Meanwhile, a naturalist is a student of natural history and nature, and a naturist is a nudist.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with nudism…. but I’m not a nudist.  At least, I have no desire to be nude in public for any reason.  I like a layer of protection between my skin and the brambles, concrete, and insects out in the world.

However, I am a student of natural history, nature, philosophy, art, and literature.  And I do reject all claims to supernatural causes or effects.  And in my most recent fiction writing, I do explore the tension between the human desire for meaning and impersonal, indifferent universe.

So, I am a naturalist in all senses of the world.  I believe in Naturalism as a valid worldview, and I enjoy pondering the irony that we humans craving meaning despite living in a meaningless universe.

I believe we are happiest and healthiest when we live as naturally as possible while not giving up the sanitation or medical advances that our naturally evolved reason and quest for improvements has provided over the centuries.  I believe we should act in ways that promote the well-being of ourselves, our families, our society, and our planet, which includes (but isn’t limited to) conserving our natural, wild places.

But as in all things, doing this consistently is difficult.  It is even more difficult in our modern world filled with thousands of artificial distractions, temptations, and luxuries.  Balance is key.  It’s a good idea to use technology to promote the best things about our culture (education, tolerance, assistance, etc) without wasting time on the crap (most reality TV, sensationalism, fear-mongering, etc), and using that freed-up time to go outside once in a while.  Not for exercise.  Just for the joy of being out in the open air, walking among grass and trees, seeing the sky,  hearing the birds, feeding the squirrels, smelling the flowers or a fresh-cut lawn.

And walking from one building to another doesn’t count.  Really stop.  Look.  Listen.  Inhale.

Wouldn’t it be marvelous around the water cooler at the office if, instead of talking about the latest catfight on some stupid TV show the previous night, we spoke together about which flowers were currently blooming, which migrating birds were back from South America, and which which type of clouds are those out the window?