We can only hope to catch a glimpse of the awe we once had everyday, as children, when placed in new situations where nature’s beauty overwhelms the senses, leaving only utter amazement.
This overwhelming feeling is what struck me when I first saw the Swiss Alps. For three weeks I wondered if the people who lived there ever stopped seeing the beauty surrounding them everyday. How could they? The mountains were so overwhelming and so amazing, and yet on the trains many opted to read the newspaper, instead of looking out the window. They went on with their lives instead of stopping and staring in awe at the landscape. Every second of everyday they see beauty that millions never even get the opportunity to view in their lifetime, yet it is taken for granted.
Heidi by Johanna Spyri is a timeless children's novel. It displays all the wonder and awe and simplicity of childhood, while simultaneously depicting Spyri's ideas of childlike perspective, as well as health in nature, specifically the Swiss Alps.
Spyri breaks it down for the reader. Life does not have to be this large complex system that we so often become tangled in. We create that, and sometimes it takes a child's perspective to see clearly how mistaken we are. Heidi reveals this to her Grandfather. He is so set against humanity. For years he refused to come into town, or even so much as talk to anyone besides the priest. It took Heidi, a small child, to show him the errors of his ways, and to teach him how to be apart of the community again. As adults we sometimes blind ourselves, we hold on to grudges, focusing on the negatives without seeing the light in the situation. Children on the other hand forget, and forgive easily.
Spyri's next focus is, health in nature. This is evident in Heidi's move to the city (makes her sick) and Clara's move to the mountain (makes her well). This message is a bit more basic. Spyri sees nature's purity as health and wellness for the body, and the mind. The Swiss Alps in particular are so untouched, they are pure nature, in all its innocence and beauty.
What's interesting is Spyri's connection between childhood and nature, they are both innocent, simple, pure, and most importantly, they are both ideal. The health of character's not only increased as they moved into nature, but also as they enjoyed life more, letting go of their petty resentment, and became more childlike. Grandfather is a great example. Although he lived secluded on the mountain throughout the story, he was not fully well until he was able to let go of his anger and rejoin his community. Therefore, Spyri reveals to us that being in nature is not enough, you also must have that childlike simplicity.
Looking at the Swiss Alps is utterly amazing. You literally cannot look at anything else, they are too beautiful to take your eyes off them. However, this experience got me thinking. Why do we need to be ripped out of our comfort zone to "see" the beauty of nature? The beauty of nature is in our own backyards and just like the Swiss travelers reading the paper, we take it for granted every day. We look at the Alps and say, "This is more beautiful than anything in Kentucky." We want it cause we don't have it every day, but how many of us would be almost indifferent to the landscape if we lived in Switzerland our entire lives?
Beauty comes in many forms. If you take it for granted, one day it will be gone. Kentucky is a beautiful state we need to realize the beauty that we get to see everyday. It may not be as, "In your face," as the Swiss Alps, but it is still amazing and awe-inspiring. Most importantly though, just like the Swiss Alps, it is worth protecting. If we fail to see the value of the beauty of our land, someone else will find the material value, and we will be forced to live with the consequences.
This is my last blog. I loved my Swiss experience. This was the opportunity of a lifetime and I already miss Gryon. Thank you Professor Davies for setting up such a fantastic class experience. I enjoyed every second of my time spent in Switzerland. It was definitely a trip worth going on and one I would recommend to anyone. Thank you again for allowing me to have this opportunity.
Mary
Heidi by Johanna Spyri is a timeless children's novel. It displays all the wonder and awe and simplicity of childhood, while simultaneously depicting Spyri's ideas of childlike perspective, as well as health in nature, specifically the Swiss Alps.
Spyri breaks it down for the reader. Life does not have to be this large complex system that we so often become tangled in. We create that, and sometimes it takes a child's perspective to see clearly how mistaken we are. Heidi reveals this to her Grandfather. He is so set against humanity. For years he refused to come into town, or even so much as talk to anyone besides the priest. It took Heidi, a small child, to show him the errors of his ways, and to teach him how to be apart of the community again. As adults we sometimes blind ourselves, we hold on to grudges, focusing on the negatives without seeing the light in the situation. Children on the other hand forget, and forgive easily.
Spyri's next focus is, health in nature. This is evident in Heidi's move to the city (makes her sick) and Clara's move to the mountain (makes her well). This message is a bit more basic. Spyri sees nature's purity as health and wellness for the body, and the mind. The Swiss Alps in particular are so untouched, they are pure nature, in all its innocence and beauty.
What's interesting is Spyri's connection between childhood and nature, they are both innocent, simple, pure, and most importantly, they are both ideal. The health of character's not only increased as they moved into nature, but also as they enjoyed life more, letting go of their petty resentment, and became more childlike. Grandfather is a great example. Although he lived secluded on the mountain throughout the story, he was not fully well until he was able to let go of his anger and rejoin his community. Therefore, Spyri reveals to us that being in nature is not enough, you also must have that childlike simplicity.
Looking at the Swiss Alps is utterly amazing. You literally cannot look at anything else, they are too beautiful to take your eyes off them. However, this experience got me thinking. Why do we need to be ripped out of our comfort zone to "see" the beauty of nature? The beauty of nature is in our own backyards and just like the Swiss travelers reading the paper, we take it for granted every day. We look at the Alps and say, "This is more beautiful than anything in Kentucky." We want it cause we don't have it every day, but how many of us would be almost indifferent to the landscape if we lived in Switzerland our entire lives?
Beauty comes in many forms. If you take it for granted, one day it will be gone. Kentucky is a beautiful state we need to realize the beauty that we get to see everyday. It may not be as, "In your face," as the Swiss Alps, but it is still amazing and awe-inspiring. Most importantly though, just like the Swiss Alps, it is worth protecting. If we fail to see the value of the beauty of our land, someone else will find the material value, and we will be forced to live with the consequences.
This is my last blog. I loved my Swiss experience. This was the opportunity of a lifetime and I already miss Gryon. Thank you Professor Davies for setting up such a fantastic class experience. I enjoyed every second of my time spent in Switzerland. It was definitely a trip worth going on and one I would recommend to anyone. Thank you again for allowing me to have this opportunity.
Mary
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