Gussow believed in the importance of staying in touch with childhood innocence, vigor, and fantasy. “As adults, nature heals by reminding us in a bodily sense what it was like to be a child.” He went on to say that nature heals because it slows us down and encourages us to use our bodies. Gussow quoted painter Thomas Cole’s letter to Asher Durand: “You sit, I know you do, in a close, air-tight room, toiling, stagnating, and breeding dissatisfaction at all you do, when, if you had the untainted breeze to breathe, your body would be invigorated, your spirits buoyant, and your pictures would even
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