I love the outdoors because it both connects me to my more primal side and to my innate nature as a human being. Human societies have always been capable of creating beauty in their own way. I would challenge anyone to claim that Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, Saint Peter's Basilica, or the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul are not beautiful. But no structure that humanity creates has or ever will equate to the awe-inspiring beauty and complexity of nature. Consider the differences between the two. If you are looking at a cathedral, you may notice the various complexities of the building's facade, the shape of the frame of the building, and perhaps a deliberate symmetry the building may have with other buildings. But in any given patch of forest, one can find all manner of different trees, species of underbrush, small scavengers, and larger predators. All in various states of life, death, birth, or rebirth. It's a kind of beauty that cannot be captured on canvas, camera or stone. Nature is also a place to reconnect with the wilder side of ourselves. I am fortunate to live in a very mountainous area with an abundance of forested land, lakes and streams to explore. Taking the occasional brake from my study or work by going into the wilderness always helps to destress and lighten my mood. There's a very good reason to this too: we are still animals. That's why having regular outdoor excursions has been linked in multiple studies to having a better mood and less anxiety. This is a great time to be alive but much of the infrastructure we've created around us (offices, roads, air conditioned homes etc.) is not organic. Thus, going outside to nature breaks the at-times depressing artifice of the modern world.

In my view, gratitude is one of the most important ways I strengthen and maintain the social bonds in my life. I show gratitude in a number of ways. Firstly, I always make a point of giving thanks every favor someone gives me. It is easy to take a small favor (ie. someone propping the door open for you) for granted. But acknowledging the effort of the other person, however small it seems, not only helps build your rapport with them but gives them the encouragement to continue such actions. Secondly, I always reciprocate a good deed if possible. If someone holds open one door for me, I'll hold the next one open for them. If someone lends me money, I'll either pay them back or buy them something of equivalent value. Thirdly, in times of stress I take the time to reflect and meditate on all the things I enjoy in life. Afterall, during a major exam or project it is too easy to forget all the relative comforts that we enjoy as college students in the modern era. Thinking of this not only provides a relief from the stress of these situations but also gives me the motivation to work even harder to maintain all that I am grateful for. Lastly, I spend as much time as possible with family, even when my schedule gets busy. At a bare minimum, I call my grandparents twice a month and my parents every other day. In doing so, I at least hope I can still acknowledge the importance of these great people in my life and strengthen the relationship I have with them. Gratitude can be one of the easiest practices to forget, but from my experience it is an essential part of our social relationships.