What is Paradise?

It’s wild how people are always chasing something else.

A different place. A different view. A different kind of “paradise.”

There’s this constant pull to be anywhere but “here.” Never content, never settled, stuck in a perpetual Grass-Is-Greener syndrome.

But here’s the thing: “here” is paradise. You just have to pay attention. 

 

Why People Miss the Beauty Around Them

I live in a place that feels like magic to me: raw, resilient, and beautiful in ways you can’t fake or replicate. The desert is not empty—it is teeming with life! And not just any life. Life that has spent millions of years evolving to the perfection that it is today. Every plant and animal here has adapted to thrive in harsh conditions that would kill most others.

And yet, so many people who live here don’t see it. They call it ugly, barren, or useless. They “clear” it for lawns, gravel, or the same cookie-cutter plants churned out ad nauseum by big corporate stores that only see dollar signs. 

They don’t realize that in doing so, they erase entire functioning ecosystems.

This isn’t just about “it looks pretty” — it’s about perspective. Native plants aren’t here by accident. They’ve evolved to handle heat, drought, and poor soils. They provide food, shelter, and habitat for countless animals and pollinators. When we rip them out and replace them with thirsty lawns or imported ornamentals, we’re not just changing the view—we’re disrupting the whole web of life. And news flash… we are part of that web!

 

What Makes Native Landscapes So Special

• Wildlife support: Native flowers, shrubs, and trees provide nectar, seeds, and shelter for local pollinators, birds, reptiles, and mammals.

• Soil health: Native plants prevent erosion, stabilize the ground, and enrich soils with organic matter.

• Resilience: These plants don’t just survive—they flourish under extreme conditions. That’s paradise in its truest sense: life against the odds. 

• Water efficiency: Desert plants are adapted to thrive on little to no supplemental water, unlike lawns that guzzle thousands of gallons a year.

• On top of all that, they make it possible for US to live. Whether you see it or not, that is the truth.

Rethinking “Paradise”

Maybe paradise isn’t a tropical beach or a manicured lawn. Maybe it’s the Joshua tree that can live for centuries. Maybe it’s a creosote bush that’s been growing in the same spot for thousands of years. Maybe it’s the wildflowers that bloom after lying dormant in the baking soil for years. 

Paradise doesn’t always look like a postcard. Sometimes it looks rugged. Sometimes it looks harsh. But when you learn to understand it, you realize it’s exactly the opposite: it’s abundance, balance, and beauty. When you start to understand it, you will no doubt fall in love with it and find happiness that is unattainable in our consumer-driven world. 

How You Can Protect the Paradise Around You

You don’t have to be a scientist or an activist to make a difference. Small choices at home add up. Here’s how you can help care for the landscape you already live in:

1)      Plant native species. Swap out water-hungry lawns or imported ornamentals for plants that belong here. They’ll thrive with less water and provide food for wildlife. Look up local native plant nurseries in your area. Ditch the lawn!

2)      Stop “clearing” the land. What looks messy to you is habitat for countless creatures. Leave native shrubs, wildflowers, and brush in place when possible.

3)      Support pollinators. Even a few native flowering plants can support bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds.

4)      Reduce water waste. Use drip irrigation, harvest rainwater, and let your landscape reflect the natural rhythm of the place you live.

5)      Learn before you landscape. Take time to understand the plants, soils, and wildlife of your region. Many local extension programs and native plant societies offer free resources.

6)      Respect public lands. Pack out trash, stay on trails, and never dig up or remove plants from the wild.

The Takeaway

Instead of asking, “Where else could I find paradise?” maybe the better question is:

“How can I care for the paradise I already live in?”

Because paradise isn’t somewhere else. It’s HERE. And it needs us to see it, value it, and protect it.