I have often been accused of being a borderline pantheist. It's true that I appreciate nature and all she has to offer, and can spend hours surrounding myself with her majesty. From the plains to the rockies, I have yet to find a square foot of ground that doesn't have some appeal when I walk in it; even the soft feel of the dirt beneath an Iowa cornfield and the smell of the ripening ears in autumn hypnotize me with their magnetic attraction.

You see, I see God as the ultimate composer and the universe as his Magnum Opus. The complexity of every plant, every animal, exists far beyond the abilities of my eyes to see, and somewhere beyond the stars are answers to questions we could never find even if time were without limit. A spring rain, a January snowfall, a violent thunderstorm into the early days of summer or a hurricane in the early days of fall are all part of the incomparable chorus that plays out its sympathy for our ears. And I find it tragic that far too many people shut tight their doors and windows against nature's elements rather than take the opportunity to hear their glorious composition.

So, open your doors and windows to the world beyond. Discover what you can, and that will give you appreciation for the things you cannot hope to discover. Cherish it, love it, and live it with a passion that knows no boundaries.