responding to Beldan Lane's, "The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality"

Ashley Smith
March 31, 2007
The relationship between the self and place

"The place where we live tells us who we are-how we relate to other people, to the larger world around us, even to God" (Lane, 9).

I find Lane's assertion about the relationship between the self and place to be true. The place that a person comes from and where he lives, shapes who he is as an overall individual. People often say that home is where the heart is; it may sound cliché, but I think this old saying speaks alot of truth. One’s home is where he should feel the most comfortable and at ease with his thoughts. I have always thought of my childhood home (the place where I was raised and grew up) as a refuge; a place that I can always return to and find peace within myself. My home is where my roots are; where I was brought up and taught many important and lifelong lessons, and where I made many lasting friendships and sacred bonds that I still cherish today. Nothing will ever be able to change the memories that I cherish from my first home, or change the way I perceive my childhood home. I hold memories as if they are valuable possessions because they are the one thing I have that no one will ever be able to take away from me. Memories are not material objects; therefore, they cannot be stolen or intruded upon. Home is where I will continue to return throughout my life, and where I feel the most comfortable with myself and closer to God.

Mikey Famiglietti "Lion's Bridge Experience"

I've lived in the Newport News area for over ten years and our class trip to the Lion's Bridge was my first...I didn't even know it existed. Although I didn't get to "marvel" in the environment for very long...I did start to ponder on a few things. I suspect that before Hurricane Katrina, the park was much more lively and beautiful. I found that the further I traveled into the park, the more depressing it became. Katrina was an unstoppable force, destroying much of the park...fallen trees, open areas of dead plants...much landscaping had to be done to clean up the mess...reminding me that much of the park was not the direct work of the divine...but the work of man. We often overlook the miracle we experience everyday...the miracle of simply waking up to see another day. Forces like Katrina remind me of how quickly life can be taken and how we should cherish every moment of it. Although we usually associate mother nature with her beauty, she also has a dark side, uncontrollable, destructive, and chaotic. The aftermath of her darkside is what I experienced at Lion's Bridge...I'll give it some time to regain its beauty...I'll visit again

Mikey Famiglietti - "Paying Attention"

So...Earlier today when I was finished my last class, still on auto-pilot, I started walking back to my car as I normally do, but for some reason I had this irresistible urge to break from the routine of just driving home and going to work. I was caught in the moment...the day was amazing...perfect in every aspect. Class was in session and nobody was around...silence had surrounded me. The sun was shining brightly, radiating just the right amount of heat. The breeze was gentle and cool. The horizon was a masterpiece of clouds, drifting aimlessly, forming dipictions of familiar objects and beings. Watching the trees sway, time was irrelevant, I was in awe. Everything is blooming, each individual plant adding their vibrant color to the palette of Spring. Sitting on the grass in solitude, I realized how closely I was paying attention to God's art. I walk down that same path everyday, thinking about what I have to start cramming for, but today God painted a picture I couldn't help but admire. Living a fast paced, modern life, I rarely ever have time to just sit and observe the continual show that nature puts on. Breaking out of my normal routine today , even if it was just for a short while, I found I had surrendered myself to nature, giving it my full attention...my mind was at peace. Since I actually took the time to listen to her, mother nature spoke to me through her beauty. I was late for work, but I don't regret it...I'm glad I was paying attention...

responding to Beldan Lane's, "Landscapes of the Sacred"

Ashley Smith
March 26, 2007

"The lure of sacred space, therefore, is strongest among those who are homeless, alienated, estranged" (Lane 34).

This sentence grabbed my attention and stood out to me much more than everything else that I had previously read in the book. It made me stop and reflect; and I reminded myself how lucky I am to have a home, belong to a loving family, and share wonderful friendships with many great people. Sometimes I forget how much I have until I am again reminded that there are many other people in the world who do not have nearly as many opportunities and blessings as I. This particular phrase written by Lane made me come to the realization that the less you have, the more you appreciate each thing that you do have. Homeless people do not own any form of shelter; therefore, when they discover a place in the wilderness that they feel comfortable and welcome in, they think of that particular place as sacred. This idea relates back to Lane's concept that people give voice to place. People and their interactions in particular places are what give those places their meaning and symbolism. In nature people are able to further discover themselves and feel connected to the universe.

walk around the block

Ashley Smith
March 25, 2007

It's amazing what a simple and short walk can do for the soul. This morning I woke up feeling lethargic and "cloudy-minded." I decided to go for a walk outside because walking usually helps to clear my head and reduce my stress level. It's like with each step and stride I took, my anxiety level went down and I began to feel more calm and at ease. It's a wonderful feeling to know that all I have to do is take a walk around the block on a sunny day just to feel a little better, both spiritually and physically. Walking helps to improve my attitude and outlook on life. I usually like to walk alone because it is the one part of the day that I have to myself; the moment is mine. I do not have to answer to anyone and for brief while my responsibilities are put on the back-burner. Walking is not only good for the body, but also greatly beneficial to the mind.

introspection

Ashley Smith
A response to Paul Heintzman's article titled, "The Wilderness Experience and Spirituality"

"Introspection/spirituality added more to satisfaction for females than for males." (Paul Heintzman)

When I came across the above statement in Heintzman's article, I immediately stopped reading and had to take a moment to think and fully grasp its meaning. I wonder why women hold a deeper appreciation and connection towards nature than do men. Is this true because women tend to be more emotional creatures and more in touch with their "innermost feelings" than men usually are? But, then again men are usually more willing and daring enough to venture off into the unknown wilderness than are women (atleast it seems this way from all my past observations and encounters). I also wonder what Heintzman means by "introspection." I have always thought of the term "introspection" to mean looking within one's own spirit or the observation of one's mental state. So, I assume that Heintzman was trying to express the deep feelings, in which many women develop inside themselves towards their outlook on nature and the wilderness. Women must (atleast according to Heintzman) be able to reflect upon and notice their innermost feelings much more so than men. Women are typically much more in tune with their "inner voice" and spirituality than men-but why this is so I am still unsure.

Anna Hubacher - Walk through the Woods

Recently over spring break I took my dog Jaxson on a walk through some woods in Manassas. While walking I saw some really cool things. I saw a beaver dam, and some trees that the beavers had cut down. One tree the beavers had chewed the bottom of it but the was caught in the branches of another tree so it was just hanging there. Some other things we saw were two holes from woodpeckers in one tree one above the other. It was interesting because they were almost perfect circles. Also it was different because where we walked went from large trees wth no particular pattern to very small almost twig like trees that were in rows. I really enjoyed going through the woods with my dog because I usually take him on trails or paths but this was far more interesting because it was "untouched" land.

the wonderful outdoors

writing on my own outdoor experience
by Ashley Smith
March 2, 2007

The other day I took a bike ride with two of my girlfriends. It was the first time I had done a physical activity oudoors purely for leisure since the fall. It felt so good and refreshing to be outside and feel my hair blow in the wind as I peddled down the street. It was a feeling of freedom, and not having to feel the burden on my shoulders of all my other respsonsibilities and obligations for a brief moment. The ride was a great escape from my daily routine. It brought a sense of diversity to my day-a break from all the mundane rituals and routines that I must perform daily. I also made the point to not bring along my cell phone on the bike ride, so I could be completely cut off dfrom all outside stressors and media. I wanted to get in tune with my own, real and true thoughts. Sometimes when I do not make time for just myself I begin to get moody and irritable. Being otuside and being active always improves my mood and makes my dispositon much better. I felt like my mind was finally clear and that I could think for myself without other people intruding on my thoughts.

The earth at my disposal

The earth at my disposal
by Ashley Smith
February 2, 2007

I used to fly down Warwick Boulevard carelessly tossing out assorted wrappers and miscellaneous garbage out the window. The road was like my trash can. It was like I did not even think twice about how bad I was harming my environment. I was lucky to not have got a ticket for littering. Maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, I didn’t exactly hurl huge objects out of window, but I defiantly did not hesitate to throw a wrapper or bottle out of the window. This is the world I have to live in for the rest of my life, and so will my children and their children, and so forth; so why would I treat it as I did? Looking back now, I just can’t understand why I would do that. It sounds so unappreciative and disrespectful just to admit that I ever behaved this way; but, fortunately I have greatly learned from my mistakes and mishaps. My accidents have led me to have a greater appreciation for “mother earth.” I am very grateful that I have come to this realization. It is an extremely careless, irresponsible, reckless, and foolish decision for me or anyone else to pollute and trash the environment. Why would anyone want to hurt or bring misfortune upon the air we breathe, the soil we walk upon, the trees we climb, or the sea we sail upon and swim through. Now I take long walks outside daily, and have learned to appreciate when the air’s freshly crisp and clear, and the grass is glowing green. I truly enjoy the outdoors; although, I cannot deny that if I were to be abandoned in the wilderness I’d be scared out of my wits. But, on that topic I will write again later.