Journal 1 (Richard Louv)

As I read the excerpt from Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, there were two quotes that stood out to me.
The first quote being from Albert Einstein's office at Princeton University: "Not everything that counts can be counted, not everything that can be counted counts" (Pg. 12)  I think that this quote has a variety of different meanings. As for what Louv was probably trying to express in his book I believe it means that even though nature based therapy may not be something we would traditionally seek out in dealing with children that have ADHD, it should be viewed as a possible treatment in place of certain pharmaceuticals. Just because it is out of the ordinary, because lets face it when it comes to treatments for diseases doctors only want to write you a prescription for pills and send you on your way, it doesn't mean that natural treatments can't work just as well as the chemicals majority of people put into their bodies every day.
The second quote from the book that stood out to me was from the 4 year old boy that the young lady spoke to. He said, "You're weak! How do you know you can't touch the sky with a stick if you don't even try?" (Pg. 14). This quote, though seemingly meaningless, caught my attention because it makes sense when it comes to using nature as therapy and treatment. I believe that you can't say something is impossible if you don't at least try it first. It may not work for some but whats to say that it does help a few. I am not saying that spending time in nature is going to fix every child with ADHD but it should be used in the cases that it is tested to be effective.
I believe in the calming effects of nature and that a little fresh air is good for everyone, ADHD or not. I recently went on a hike with my boyfriend at the beginning of January and it did wonders for me. Not only did it get my lazy personality to subside for a few hours but it did calm the little anxiety that does tend to build up inside. The more I looked around and noticed the nature around me, the more peaceful and relaxed I felt. It was my second time hiking those woods and it was just as fun as the first time I did it. For someone like myself that prefers the comforts of the indoor lifestyle, getting to be outside in nature created a new perspective for me. I appreciated enjoying the company of my boyfriend and the view of the river we rested near instead of being in a house on my phone or watching TV. I believe that everyone can benefit from being in nature for a few hours a day.

               (Above are some photos I took from the hike. Location: Tod Park in Girard, Ohio)


  I also have a place in the park pictured above where as a child and even now as an adult I visit when I am in Ohio. I always go there to think about what is weighing on my mind. I find it peaceful to sit on the bridge and listen to the wind and the birds. I believe it works for me because it is something I find being in familiar surroundings at a place I would go to as a child is comforting.