“The woods were my Ritalin. Nature calmed me, focused me, and yet excited my senses.” (Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder)

I’ve always been amazed at how much we humans like to talk about the weather. Especially now, as we observe the change from Summer to Fall. Yes, we can all use it as easy chit-chat, but I think there’s more to this than just a conversation filler.

I think we talk about the weather because the outside world of nature is the quickest means to universal commonality. We’re all subject to it, no matter how much we protect and insulate ourselves. Being outside has this ability to make us feel so small, but so connected to everything and everyone else, at the same time.

This is why I, too, share Richard Louv’s concerns about families and children experiencing less and less of the great outdoors. It cuts across the grain of our humanity to love screens more than streams, to crave comfy chairs more than creation itself.

Go outside.