My favorite part of fall is being an outsider.
And no, I’m not talking about existing as a social outcast or a crony of Pony Boy and his gang; rather, I’m speaking of someone who enjoys being outside so much that it’s almost a part of them.
At my core, I am an outsider. Sure, I enjoy relaxing indoors and cozying up on the couch, but I find something particularly exhilarating about lacing up my boots, throwing open the front door, and stepping out into the big, beautiful world that awaits.
Being an outsider means that you don’t always know what’s next and you’re ready and waiting for any adventure, no matter how big or small. Being an outsider means allowing fresh air to flow through your nostrils and wash over your lungs until you feel grounded, renewed, and filled with a cleansing perspective. Being an outsider means asking thoughtful questions, acknowledging you don’t have all the answers, and staying forever curious. And above all, being an outsider means that you’re forever hungry to learn, change, and grow and that you do one new thing a day not as a mantra or a daily aspiration but rather as an inherent necessity and non-negotiable way of life.
Last weekend Cam, Fitz, and I embraced our call to be outsiders and explored some previously uncharted territory: Lake Independence. Sitting just outside the innermost ring of west Minneapolis suburbs, Lake Independence is a serene rural setting that makes you feel as if you are completely submerged in nature without needing to venture too far from home. Located in Maple Plain, this body of water is celebrated for being more peaceful and serene than other nearby lakes, and Cam and I decided to make the short drive so we could take the dog on an afternoon romp while exploring something new.
We spent the entire afternoon outside walking along beaches, bounding through leaves, and marveling at the stunning array of colorful trees as they danced and swayed in the autumn breeze. Fitz explored it all from his long lead – thirty-six feet of bright orange, seemingly unfettered freedom – and had a high old time sniffing all the sniffs and delighting in all the senses. Cam and I had a blast watching him navigate his surroundings and interact with all the newness for the first time, and we savored his sheer joy with childlike wonder.
Perhaps what I loved most about the afternoon was the silence: We saw less than five people over the course of the whole afternoon, and it was absolutely glorious.
Sometimes I find that the louder the world gets – the external demands, the endless opinions, and even our innermost thoughts – the quieter and stiller we ultimately need to become. Often the best thing we can do for ourselves is prescribe some good old-fashioned rest and relaxation, stretch our legs, and get a bit of fresh air. And while I love people and so appreciate the value of social connection, it’s actually quite healthy to remove ourselves from the external world every now and then so we can really tune in to what we’re hearing from ourselves.
So, my challenge to you is this: Each and every day, be an outsider. Whether it’s for ten seconds, ten minutes, or ten hours make it a priority to get outside each and every day. For as author Edward Abbey writes, “wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit,” and as Shakespeare relays, “the earth has music for those who listen.” There is a lot to be learned, a whole world to be explored, and a full, beautiful human spirit to discover if only we immerse ourselves in the awesome splendor of God’s grandeur.
So do it.
Embrace the necessity of your human spirit.
Listen to the earth and her music.
Be an outsider.
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