Resisting the Turtle Evolution

Humans are made with thin skin and relatively little body hair. Not much protection for an animal if you think of the thick hides of cattle or elephants or the warm fur of rabbits or monkeys. Our ape-like ancestor moved from the protection of shady, tall-treed forests to open savanna. From this transition, we became more exposed to the elements. Retreating to shelters like caves and large trees during harsh weather conditions of course remained as options. However, we for the most part still experienced the variety of conditions from mother nature in a very raw way.

Over the centuries, humans have developed ways to minimize this interaction. We've become like the turtle who retreats into its shell to escape perceived outside dangers - real or benign. More and more elaborate shelters have been devised. Climate controlling technology has been created, from air conditioning and heating to full spectrum lighting. Blinds and drapes can be drawn to block out the visual cues of outside weather conditions. This has gotten to the point that one can be enclosed and have little idea of how hot or cold, wet or snowy it may be outside.

Thank goodness for the weather reports! How else would we know what to expect when we stepped outside the door? And on that note, forget about having to step outside the door. We even have these moving machines that transport us from one enclosed garage to the next, keeping us safe from that scary outside world.

And so, as I biked through the downpour yesterday, I marveled at the beauty of the rain's intensity. As my feet became engrossed in soggy swampiness and my hair so soaked that I must have looked like a drowned rat, my smile grew bigger. I was experiencing the rain to its fullest. I was feeling its amazing intensity.

It reminded me of a Bob Dylan quote that came across my path recently:
"Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet."
Here I was feeling the rain because I was brave and got wet.

This is one of the many things that I appreciate about being a bicyclist. I get to really connect to my surroundings. It's made me more tolerant and appreciative of weather variances. I cannot avoid the shifts in climate. It connects me with my surroundings in other ways as well. Every year I sense the coming of spring on those bike rides at night during which my nose is greeted with the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle and jasmine blossoms.

I will continue to resist the turtle evolution. I will shed that shell and face those outside things that look off putting. And I will see the beauty in all that my surroundings have to offer.