Journal 1: Your connection to the Florida environment and how much time you spend out doors.

Being connected with the outdoors is a necessity for happiness, relaxation, and overall well-being. Therefore, it is imperative to spend time outdoors because it not only allows you to find your peace with nature, but it also allows one to become connected with their surrounding environments. Over the years of living in Florida and spending several of hours a week in the outdoors, I have earned a fond connection with the outdoors that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. Growing up on a farm allowed me to spend an unlimited amount of time in the outdoors and grew a connection with the outdoors from either playing in the mud, out fishing the back lakes, and exploring the back woods. Not only did I grow a connection with the outdoors, but also I learned several of things through hand-on experiences all the way to checking the Internet from being curious. I learned about several different animals such as snakes, alligators, all types of birds, and insects, to all the different types of plants that came along with being in the woods, poisonous or not. From my past experiences I am able to inform a lot of my friends when out in the woods on what may be harmful or not. Along with when going on my nature runs, which paths may pose a danger or which are the safe routes.

I believe that being in the outdoors has helped me remain distressed throughout my college career. Although I do not have the time that I once had when I lived on the farm to be outdoors, I find several of different alternatives to become connected with my environment. Being that I am joining the Marine Corp, I find myself running at least an hour a day. Yet rather than going to the gym to run on the treadmill, I will go outside and run in the fresh air, or find a nature path that will allow me to run through the beautiful wilderness. If I do not feel like taking a run for the day, I will go out to the poolside and enjoy some warm sunshine. This also allows me to get outside in the fresh air and let nature alleviate some stress.
All in all it is very important to spend time outdoors. Whether it is to go lay out in the sun, run through nature trails, or explore the back woods. It helps several of people become connected with nature and their surrounding environment which ultimately allows one to find happiness.

Word count: 429

Images from : http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo924168.htm

&

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wedgewoodhoa.org/images/Nature_Trail_resized.Drunning%2Bin%2Bnature%2Btrails%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1224%26bih%3D601%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=720&vpy=264&dur=322&hovh=154&hovw=231&tx=108&ty=70&oei=ZLNITb_oFY_6sAOQwbymCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0