John Muir: My Life with Nature by Joseph Cornell

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John Muir: My Life with Nature
Chapter IX: Nature's Goodness

My life has been like a glorious walk in one sunny garden. Even when wild storms and other dangers came my way, Nature has always cared for me. I have always been protected, somehow. Once while scaling a cliff high on Mount Ritter, a peak never before climbed, I was suddenly brought to a dead stop. With outstretched arms, I clung to the rock wall, unable to move up or down. Frightened, and frozen with fear, I knew I couldn’t hold on for long and would soon fall to my death. My panic lasted only for a moment, however. A new sense of self strengthened me and quieted my trembling muscles. Every crack in the rock became as clear as if looking through a microscope. A wonderful power came over me, and I climbed to the top with ease.

Another time after a heavy snowfall, I wanted to see the mountains in their new white robes. I spent all day climbing to the rim of Yosemite Valley. Most of the way I sank waist deep in the snow—but I continued on, because I love snow. Just before I reached the ridge, an avalanche caught me. To stay on top of it, and avoid being buried by the swooshing snow, I did the backstroke. I was carried 3,000 feet down to the valley floor—in just a minute. Fortunately, my landing was a safe one, without bruise or scar.

God watches over mountaineers, especially when they are trusting and brave. Every cell in creation has its captain that guides it aright—just as a compass needle is shown its way. And so I have always known whether it was safe to continue my explorations. While climbing Mount Whitney at 11 o’clock at night, I heard a voice inside of me, say “Go back!” I felt as if Someone were turning me around and telling me, “Go down the mountain.” I obeyed and descended the mountain.

Beauty and science have led me to many wild places and countries. Many times I could have become money-rich, yet time-poor. But I have chosen Wild Beauty. When I was in Argentina looking at trees, a reporter asked me what my occupation was. I told him, “Tramp—I’m seventy-four, and still good at it!” In all my wandering days, I have never met anyone as free as myself. The world’s prizes mean nothing to me. Whoever gains the blessings of one mountain day is rich forever.

My days in the wilderness will live with me always. Everything there was so alive and familiar. It’s wonderful how Nature is a part of us. The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past but through us. This whole world is our home and everything is our kin. While in the wilderness, the very stones seem talkative and brotherly. One fancies a heart like our own must be beating in every crystal and cell. No wonder when we consider that we all have the same Father and Mother.

I have tried to tell not what I have done, but what Nature has done—a much more important story—in the hopes that you’ll go to Nature, yourself, and learn her secret ways. I have also wanted to make the mountains glad. For nature was made not just for us, but for itself and its own happiness, and is the very smile of God.
HOW TO ORDER:
All Sharing Nature Products are now available through secure online ordering.
You can also order by calling our toll free number: 866-693-4263

In the United Kingdom you can order our books from Deep Books, ltd.
Contact: David Birkett, david@deep-books.co.uk

Joseph Cornell's books are currently available in the following foreign languages: Chinese, Danish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Slovene, Spanish, and Thai.

Excerpts From John Muir: My Life with Nature

Table of Contents

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter IX

Explore More

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			Home Flow Learning ™ Nature Activities Programs Calendar of Events Sharing Nature Worldwide Country Coordinators Joseph Cornell Books and Resources Connections and More Information
	John Muir: My Life with Nature Chapter IX: Nature's Goodness
	My life has been like a glorious walk in one sunny garden. Even when wild storms and other dangers came my way, Nature has always cared for me. I have always been protected, somehow. Once while scaling a cliff high on Mount Ritter, a peak never before climbed, I was suddenly brought to a dead stop. With outstretched arms, I clung to the rock wall, unable to move up or down. Frightened, and frozen with fear, I knew I couldn’t hold on for long and would soon fall to my death. My panic lasted only for a moment, however. A new sense of self strengthened me and quieted my trembling muscles. Every crack in the rock became as clear as if looking through a microscope. A wonderful power came over me, and I climbed to the top with ease. Another time after a heavy snowfall, I wanted to see the mountains in their new white robes. I spent all day climbing to the rim of Yosemite Valley. Most of the way I sank waist deep in the snow—but I continued on, because I love snow. Just before I reached the ridge, an avalanche caught me. To stay on top of it, and avoid being buried by the swooshing snow, I did the backstroke. I was carried 3,000 feet down to the valley floor—in just a minute. Fortunately, my landing was a safe one, without bruise or scar. God watches over mountaineers, especially when they are trusting and brave. Every cell in creation has its captain that guides it aright—just as a compass needle is shown its way. And so I have always known whether it was safe to continue my explorations. While climbing Mount Whitney at 11 o’clock at night, I heard a voice inside of me, say “Go back!” I felt as if Someone were turning me around and telling me, “Go down the mountain.” I obeyed and descended the mountain. Beauty and science have led me to many wild places and countries. Many times I could have become money-rich, yet time-poor. But I have chosen Wild Beauty. When I was in Argentina looking at trees, a reporter asked me what my occupation was. I told him, “Tramp—I’m seventy-four, and still good at it!” In all my wandering days, I have never met anyone as free as myself. The world’s prizes mean nothing to me. Whoever gains the blessings of one mountain day is rich forever. My days in the wilderness will live with me always. Everything there was so alive and familiar. It’s wonderful how Nature is a part of us. The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past but through us. This whole world is our home and everything is our kin. While in the wilderness, the very stones seem talkative and brotherly. One fancies a heart like our own must be beating in every crystal and cell. No wonder when we consider that we all have the same Father and Mother. I have tried to tell not what I have done, but what Nature has done—a much more important story—in the hopes that you’ll go to Nature, yourself, and learn her secret ways. I have also wanted to make the mountains glad. For nature was made not just for us, but for itself and its own happiness, and is the very smile of God. HOW TO ORDER: All Sharing Nature Products are now available through secure online ordering. You can also order by calling our toll free number: 866-693-4263 In the United Kingdom you can order our books from Deep Books, ltd. Contact: David Birkett, david@deep-books.co.uk Joseph Cornell's books are currently available in the following foreign languages: Chinese, Danish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Slovene, Spanish, and Thai.

	Excerpts From John Muir: My Life with Nature Table of Contents Chapter IV Chapter V Chapter IX Explore More

	\| Flow Learning™ \| Nature Activities \| Programs \| Calendar of Events \| \| Sharing Nature Worldwide \| Country Coordinators \| Joseph Cornell \| \| Books and Resources \| Connections and More Information \| Mailing List Sharing Nature Foundation 14618 Tyler Foote Rd. Nevada City, CA 95959 530-478-7650 e-mail: info@sharingnature.com