Beneath a towering pine, I scan the clearing, hoping for a glimpse of the deer I startled earlier. A rustle behind me grabs my attention, but I resist the urge to turn. Instead, I wait, and soon, a group of grouse appears. They peck at the ground, oblivious to my presence. I listen to their subtle sounds, enamored by their peculiar and precious behavior. It's a simple moment, but it fills me with awe and wonder.
The Magic of Presence & the Challenge of Modern Life
I've had hundreds of moments like these, particularly when I am fishing, or foraging, where I'm fully immersed in the present, filled with fascination, and my senses are heightened in the most glorious way. These moments occur in various places and times but always involve some element of the natural world. This isn't a coincidence; I believe it's due to an innate biophilia in all humans, revealing our natural instincts and true way of being.
Today’s world isn’t particularly conducive to observation – to stopping and looking, smelling, and sensing, to sitting in a moment with no set agenda. For me, observation and contemplation serve as anchors to the present moment, against the forceful current of my own anxieties, the chaos of modern life, and the societal tug to rush through life and remain perpetually busy. As a contemplative person, I found solace in the embrace of nature from an early age. Its vastness calms me, its sophistication fascinates me, and my existence in it all humbles me in a very necessary way.
Moments of Connection & the Gift of Time
My friend sits in front of me on a cooler, casting his streamer for trout. I sit in the rower's seat of the raft, gazing at the canyon walls and periodically checking on the pups who sit behind me. I spot a light brown shape on the charcoal-gray rocks. Curious, I eddy out, drop anchor, and grab my binoculars. It's a yellow-bellied marmot! Another appears, and we watch their plump bodies scamper about. We giggle, feeling honored to witness this little peek into their lives. After a while, I pull up the anchor, and we continue our float, grateful for the encounter.
To me, time is a gift, an extension of who we are. I've come to realize the profound power of partaking in judicious observation – to slow down, to savor, to simply notice your senses. Some might call it mindfulness; others, simply paying attention. Whatever works for you. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that our attention is really all we have. At the end of our lives, the sum of what we’ve paid attention to over the years will add up to just that - our life.
Gloria Goñis outdoor experiences
Simple Joys of Foraging & the Impact of Presence
A pine cone crackles under my weight as I take another slow step, searching for morel mushrooms. After weeks of warm and wet weather, I suspect the river bottoms hold some yellow morels. The dogs are off exploring, occasionally flushing ruffed grouse. Soon enough, I spot my first morel of the season. I bend down to cut it at the base and spot another, the another. Soon, I'm on all fours, joyfully following the trail of morels. I think to myself, I'm older and wiser now, but there's no reason I shouldn’t crawl around the forest floor hunting for treasures.
Wholly engaging with a moment, regardless of how outwardly ordinary or extraordinary it may seem, can make it incredibly impactful. I often experience this while fishing, or foraging. I wonder how our lives would change if we paid more attention. Instead of focusing on what we can gain or extract from a moment, what if we aimed to observe, smell, see, and feel more deeply?
Gloria Goñis outdoor experiences
Gratitude for Existence
Being in nature brings me profound peace. Recognizing all it took to bring me to this moment—billions of years of planets forming, life beginning, evolution unfolding—makes me feel simultaneously insignificant and important. Most of all, it fills me with immense gratitude to simply exist, observe, and pay attention. Nature has been my greatest teacher, showing me the depths in which I can feel and love, opening and expanding my mind, and providing me with clarity on who I want to be and how I want to show up in the world. My time may not be optimized, my schedule might not be perfectly productive, and I may not be a success story by any sort of societal standard, but I live a life that I am fully present for and to me that feels like a life well spent.
About the Author
Gloria Goñi
Gloria Goñi is a Spanish photographer, filmmaker, writer, and guide living full-time on the road with her two trusty pups, Alberto and Shakira. As she travels across North America, she follows her passions for hunting, fishing, foraging, and outdoor cooking. Her creative work reflects these themes, along with her dedication to public lands, conservation, and human geography. You can explore her work on Instagram, YouTube, and her website www.lapescadorastudio.com.
