Walden Post

What started out as a two- year experiment for Thoreau at Walden Pond turned out to be a life changing experience.  Two years for some people to live simplistically may seem like an eternity.  Often, they may not survive without technology and all the amenities, which they have been exposed to previously.  The majority of people would feel that society is the best place to live.  However, Thoreau wanted to see for himself.  He embarked upon a journey in which he gained much knowledge and insight into life.  Thus, Thoreau’s two years at Walden Pond were more than a wasted experiment in frugality, but rather, an enriching life experience.

Thoreau learned the importance of nature through his two years at solitude.  Nature is the harmony to the world and the meaning to life.  Life is in its truest form in nature.  Thoreau realized that nature is teeming with beauty and life from the many animals he watched in the woods.  Sitting outside, enjoying a nice day, listening to the sounds of the birds, and feeling the flow of the wind helped him learn more about nature and to become one with it.  As Thoreau watched the animals it made him think of human warfare and fighting.  As fall changed to winter, he listened to the fox, rabbit, and squirrel as they gathered food for the cold winter.  As seasons changed, he would rather be with this nature and animals than amongst the wealthy and rich.  Thoreau became one with nature and appreciated all it gave him.

 

http://www.venuemag.net/Blogs/Its-a-Good-Life/Web-2011/View/

Not only was nature and solitude a rewarding experience, but Thoreau had much time to think. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts to life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived” (Thoreau 490).  This is another valuable lesson that Thoreau learned which is to deliberate, to ponder, to think for a very long time. He was able to discern what is truly important in life. He came to the conclusion that it really wasn’t material things that mattered, but more so how to live life to its fullest.  Sometimes it is important to slow down and just appreciate and smell the roses.  He discerned that people were always in a hurry, which was only wasting true life.

http://www.outdoorbirdfeeders.com/bluebird.html

Nature and living life to its fullest is what Thoreau experienced in the woods.  The benefits of nature were to help him realize what the meaning of life was.  Seasons changing, sounds of animals and birds, and the flow of the wind became relaxing to him.  Not being a part of the human world was what Thoreau wanted.  He became one with nature and cherished all it gave him.  Being in the woods made Thoreau ponder on the meaning of life and its importance.  He realized that material items were not necessary. Thoreau took life in slowly and not in a hurry.  Thoreau’s life was not wasted at Walden Pond.

"The Thinker"

http://ntype0.wordpress.com/page/6/