For years I have been pondering on the trope country needs people. I just couldn't understand why people would think country needs them, given people only evolved in the last 6 mil years, and modern humans have only been around for ~ 800k years. Yet life evolved on this plant 4 bil years ago, so humans have only been on this rock for a blink of an eye. The planet has not needed humans previously, nor does it now, nor will it in the future. So why this concept that country need people? Country, the planet did more than OK without people for so very very very long. This rock hosted huge changes in ecosystems, landscapes, and the evolution and extinction of so many species. Then I thought back to how being on country makes me feel. I recall the look on colleague's faces when they are immersed in country. Those wide eyes eager for discovery. The increasing awareness of their surroundings and time passed. The grins of joy at seeing and experiencing what country can give them. The joy at looking at flowers, or seeing kangaroos feeding on native grasslands. The immense joy of just sitting down in silence and taking country in with every breath. It is only then, I came to realise, Country DOES NOT need People, BUT People NEED Country. Not only do people need country for their survival but also for their mental and spiritual well-being. The serenity and perspective country imbues onto the human psyche is wondrous. I am not talking just of 1st Nations who still have that connection to country, but all Australians whose faces light up when immersed in country. Even the most ardent concrete jungle hominid eventually melds into the natural wonder of country. So for the time we are here, it would be nice to keep country healthy and in good repair so it can bring us joy. Let us become more aware of why all the profits one could achieve can never provide the solace and peace of being immersed in the grandeur of country. Country really does not need people, but people need country
A thought. #mentalwellbeing #natureawareness #peopleneedcountry
