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Originally posted on April 23, 2012. Updated on April 19, 2018.

Today, we are looking for ways to protect our planet and build a sustainable future. But the solution lies deeper than at the bottom of a recycling bin.

We are facing the question of stewardship. To become better stewards of our environment, we need to cultivate our relationship with the natural world.

Without first-hand experiences with creation we become detached from the value of the natural world. A fisherman knows the footprint he leaves when he catches a fish. If you’ve planted a seed and nurtured it to fruition, helped a sow give birth to her calf, or caught and cleaned a trout for dinner, you have experienced the delicate relationship we have with the natural world.

Dr. Hyun Jin Moon admires the majesty of creation during a trek through the mountains.

The first step to becoming better stewards of this earth is to go out and get to know the life on this earth. Those experiences will help us gain a deeper understanding of who we are and the role we play in learning how to live in harmony with our earth.

American environmental lawyer, Gus Speth, once said, “I used to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address those problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy… to deal with those we need a spiritual and cultural transformation.”

When we understand the beauty of the world we live in, we expand our gratitude for it, providing the fuel and passion that is combined with the knowledge to come up with creative solutions and innovations.

We become better stewards of this earth when we become aware of our mark on the ecosystem. The natural world gives us and teaches us so much. If we knew how intimately we are related to the local plants, animals and waterways, we would better preserve and serve those ecosystems.

What are ways you can become a better steward for the environment this International Mother Earth Day?

MORE: 4 Lessons on Leadership from Mother Nature

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Dr. Moon recently mentioned Dr. Maya Angelou’s last tweet, posted on May 23rd, five days before she passed away.

Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.

— Maya Angelou (@DrMayaAngelou) May 23, 2014

Her quote still resonates, reminding us that peace is found in a quiet space inside each person. But, the distractions and material comforts of modern life often drown out our inner voice. Peace starts to seem elusive, and object beyond our reach. We search far and wide, when the first and best place to look is inside.

Dr. Moon has emphasized the importance of spiritual principles and values as the foundation for peace. Spiritual traditions pull us away from the distractions of life to connect us with our spirituality. Nature can also do this. The simplest things: the tiny blossom in spring, the silent snow in winter, bring us back to a quiet place where we can connect back to ourselves and God.

And in that connection, we can find peace with others. Like Maya Angelou also said, “While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God’s creation.”

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Dr. Hyun Jin Moon has often expressed that nature is his first school and place of worship.

Dr. Hyun Jin Moon has often shared his love for nature, what he calls his first school and place of worship.

Recently he expressed, “I love creation because it puts things into perspective.” When one stands in front of the majesty and harshness of nature, the most essential things in life become apparent.

Experienced climbers only bring the bare essentials. In the mountains, one’s favorite pajamas and favorite blanket become extra weight. Extra weight means one will cover less distance in a day.

How does that translate to life? In life one has to decide, “Do I need this? Do I really want to be held down by unnecessary things? Or do I want to live an unencumbered, rich, and expansive life?”  

What are the essentials one should carry in a happy life?

For one, one should make sure to pack gratitude and humility. Peace and happiness are not found in the highest places, they are found in the valleys.

Out in the woods, when there is near to nothing, one can be grateful for even the smallest conveniences, like toilet paper. Gratitude and humility help find happiness in the shadows.

Another essential to bring along in life is a good attitude. In the wilderness it becomes quickly apparent that unexpected circumstances are inevitable.

For example, in Montana sudden hail storms are not uncommon even in the summer. If one exposed when the storm arrives, death could be imminent. Crying about it will make no difference. What will determine life or death is attitude.

It has been proven that most people who die in the wilderness give up first. Those who survive refuse to give up. They win a psychological and mental battle.  At the end of the day, human beings have the capacity to overcome whatever challenges they face. It is a God-given gift. Dr. Moon stated, “If I change my attitude, I change my perspective. I have the power to determine the course I walk in my life.”

Regardless of the situation, one can choose to be defined by the circumstance or overcome the circumstance. Everyone has a choice of how they engage with challenge.  How one decides to face the challenge defines their greatness.

Where else, but in nature can such lessons be garnered?  Such experiences are powerful metaphors for life.

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Team Aoki bonded through the trials they faced together in the great outdoor.

According to Kenshu Aoki, President of the Global Peace Youth Corps-USA (GPYC-USA) and adventure workshop team leader, “This 4-Day hike truly brought out the adventure in the adventure program.”

During the debriefing session, one participant confessed that this was the most physically challenging experience of his life. When the question was bounced back to the audience, “How many of you thought this was the most physically challenging experience in your life,” hands shot up.

For four days, the adventurers had to crawl through the mud, sleep in the rain, slip on wet algae covered rocks, get beaten by waves, and swept away by 6 foot tides. “The Pacific Ocean is a monster,” Mr. Aoki commented later.

For many, every day was a question of life or death. Mr. Aoki had several people who came from landlocked and temperate climate nations. The sound of the Pacific Ocean waves crashing against the rocks kept them up at night.

Such challenges push one beyond imagined limits and reveal one’s true strengths.

The jutting coastal line and every-changing tide made the Olympic Coast difficult to navigate without a map.

The Map is Key

The Olympic Coast is covered with rocky terrain, cliffs, and coves. One can’t see what is coming up next. What is more, the rhythm of the tides changes the landscape constantly. Without a map, it is nearly impossible to ascertain what lies ahead.  One misinterpretation of the map could throw the team off for hours, if not put them in peril.

In this case, the map was crucial to show the teams where they were, what lay ahead, and where they needed to go, in some cases through unbroken paths, to reach their destination.

Becoming A Team

But the terrain was not the only thing that needed to be figured out. In Mr. Aoki’s case he was the youngest member of the team, but team leader. He had to figure out how to navigate between differing abilities, ages, and opinions to make his team a cohesive unit that would make it safely back to basecamp.

For that, nature dished out its full course of lessons, and the team responded by galvanizing together. To accommodate the varying abilities, some team members volunteered to carry more load in their backpacks. Those who could not carry as much, worked hard in their own capacities: waking up early to start the coffee, collecting water, and cooking meals. Giving up was not an option for team Aoki.

A bonding experience to be pulled out by team members from thigh deep quick-mud.

While walking over a particularly muddy patch, a team mate from Brazil found himself sinking thigh deep in quick-mud. His team mates responded immediately. Painfully and slowly they pulled him out. Narrowly averting serious injury, the mud-covered hiker was all smiles. He thanked his teammates and said of the moment, “This was the best experience.”

 “By God’s grace, we made it back with no major injuries,” said Mr. Aoki at the close.

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A member of GPYC-USA looks over the cliff he scaled during a mountain challenge program in Montana lead by True North Adventures Outdoor Education.

I was reminded of why I go into the mountains when I read about the mountain challenges of the youth leaders from the Global Peace Youth Corps in Mt. Kilimanjaro and the mountains of Montana.

Before any major undertaking I go into the mountains to align my heart and spirit to the goal. A principle in creation is that you have to persevere and invest beyond your limits to receive the gift of achieving your goal. The mountains allow me to challenge my limitations and test my commitment.

After days of trekking through rough terrain your whole body becomes tired. There is deprivation on so many levels –physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Some struggle and ask, “Why am I doing this?” At that point, the only thing you have left is your determination and belief in the final goal. If you push forward, your mind becomes clear and your spirit focused.

When you set this kind of foundation, creation offers a blessing in return. This is how you become one with the natural world. And when you connect to the universal principles that govern creation you will achieve your goal. It does not happen with only your ability or physical efforts.

That is why I go to the mountains.

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Navigating through unfamiliar landscapes is sometimes disorienting. People need to depend on their compass to help them find their way.

When trekking through deep mountains, sometimes people lose their way. It becomes difficult to figure out where they are or where they should go. Surrounded by trees and recurring landscapes, they become totally disoriented.

In their time of confusion, they depend on their compass to regain their bearings.

To successfully navigate through the wilderness, you need three points: true north, your current location and your final destination. Your compass aligns you to true north. This absolute point enables you to determine where you are and where you want to go. That is how you find your way home.

In life, everyone also gets lost sometimes, especially when bombarded by competing value systems, multiple messages, constant information and every-day affairs. Answers are sought for in many places, but without a clear orientation it is easy to lose the way.

Everyone needs a compass to reorient them. The moral compass is the conscience.

As is learned in nature, to navigate through the challenges and complexities of life, you need three points: absolute values and principles, where you are in life and where you want to go.

Your conscience shows you the true north in life. So when the conscience gets unsettled, it is important to listen carefully.  It will tell you if the choices and actions are aligned to righteous values and principles.

It will help you see where you are and what you need to do. It will show you your way home.

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Contemplating the landscape in Montana with my children.

Nature is my place of worship. High on a summit after scaling steep slopes and rocky faces, I have met God.

There, the ground is barren; nothing can survive that high.  The wind blows unhindered, ready to sweep me off the pinnacle. Below, the jagged rocks look up. Above, the sky leans in so close and boundless that I can almost touch it.

When I am surrounded by the majesty of God’s creation things come into perspective. In that windswept lonely place, stripped of everything, the only place of solace and comfort is  in God’s embrace of true love. I find humility and gratitude for everything He has blessed me with.

Such experiences stay with you.

Even when you come down from the mountains, whatever trials and challenges you face, you remember that you do not stand alone.

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Each height on the mountain supports a particular plant life. The higher you go, the plants are shorter but their roots are stronger.

In the mountains, each height has unique plant life. The base of the mountain is abundant with trees. But higher up, above the tree line, the landscape becomes barren.

Still, many plants and flowers thrive at those heights. The plants aren’t tall, but their root systems anchor them to the ground. Some plants even entwine their roots around rocks. Because of their hearty roots, they can survive the difficult environment.

When you’re young, it is important to grow deep roots like the plants at the top of the mountain. More than growing tall in your accomplishments, it’s important to deepen your conviction of your fundamental values.

Especially if you dream big, your roots—your conviction in who you are and your principles and values — are important. This is because dreams are like mountains. The bigger they are, the more challenges you have to overcome.

You need solid roots that ground and nourish you. They will give you the strength to fulfill your dreams.

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Creation is a composition of great diversity.
credits: freedigitalphotos.net

Creation and humanity is God’s grand masterpiece. Every moment will be filled with awe if everyone sees the world and humanity from this perspective.

A canvas filled with the same color, the same shape, and the same texture makes a pretty bland picture. But what if you accentuate the canvas with different colors, textures and movement? You have a masterpiece.

Creation is a composition of great diversity. Deep in the mountains you see many colors, feel many textures, and smell many aromas. Your senses are fully stimulated. A picture with such variety is profoundly beautiful. Each unique individual part is also exciting. That’s why spending time in the wilderness is such a joy. Every single day reveals new and fascinating things: different plants and foliage, animals and birds, terrains and waterways.

Humanity is the same. The amazing variety of ethnicities and cultures add color and texture. Every person is part of God’s masterpiece. Everyone should appreciate diversity but recognize humanity’s common identity as one family under God.

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