Looking vs. Seeing: How Emerson Taught Me to Reconnect with Nature

A few months ago, on a quiet summer night I looked up at the stars and marveled. It had been too long since I'd stopped to ponder the wonder of the universe. With inspiration pulled from Ralph Waldo Emerson's 'Nature' (an airport bookstore find) I reflect on our essential need to connect with nature and reflect on the difference between looking at the world and actually seeing it. I talk about how that book — and specifically Emerson's writing on the stars and the sun — completely shifted how I think about looking at the world versus actually seeing it. I share why that distinction feels especially important living in a city like New York, where it takes real intention to connect with nature at all, and how something as simple as a sunrise over the East River or a walk without your phone can bring back a sense of awe most of us have forgotten how to feel. If you've been feeling disconnected, distracted, or like you're moving through your days without really noticing anything around you, this episode is for you. In this episode: Why I bought Ralph Waldo Emerson's Nature at an airport bookstore (and why that's rare for me) The line in the book that gave me chills The real difference between looking at nature and seeing it How to find moments of awe even in the middle of a city If this episode resonates with you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend, and if you've read Emerson's Nature yourself, I want to hear what you thought of it. You can find me on Instagram @freshperspectivespod or email me directly at mailto:[email protected].