Blogger: Gena Correale Wardle, Community Fundraising Officer
I am lucky enough to have gained a niece through my fabulous partner’s sister and husband, and Naomi is an absolute delight. The centre of the family, she charms everyone with her beautiful blue eyes and cheeky smile.
She has the world at her feet and everything a little girl of 20 months could want; toys, games, books, a sand pit! Yet she gets most pleasure from some of the most simple things in life, and it is wonderful to see her wondering at the birds frequenting the garden, splashing about in puddles on a walk through the countryside and feeding the goats at her local farm.
Naomi is very lucky as she has great parents who encourage her to learn about and love nature and wildlife, although I think she would still be the kind of girl to peer into the hedgehog house in her garden and then give the tiny house a big hug, whatever her upbringing.
It seems that we are all predisposed to love nature from an early age, but like our ability to swim as a baby, this love often disappears as we get older, pushed out by a fondness for less natural activities such as playing computer games and drinking beer. It’s such a shame that this is the case, but the ability to enjoy nature is within all of us and I think we need to take onboard a few lessons from those who are a lot younger (but a lot wiser!) than us when it comes to life’s pleasures.
As adults we need to consciously make the decision to make more time to be outside in the natural world and enjoy the calm and happiness it brings. There’s nothing like running and jumping into a pile of autumn leaves in October or dodging the sea in your wellies as you run along the water’s edge in November – these things aren’t just for kids, they’re pleasures for everyone to enjoy and best of all they are free!
So next time you find yourself with a spare afternoon, why not unlock that inner child and play hide and seek with a friend in your local wood or climb to the top of the nearest hill to survey the landscape like you are lord of the manor! Nature is amazing and the RSPB aren’t just protecting it for wildlife – it’s for you too, go and enjoy!