Though nowhere near the epic event this is, one of the things I enjoy about watching Japanese shrines is when they go around and rebuild stuff. Sometimes they

Though nowhere near the epic event this is, one of the things I enjoy about watching Japanese shrines is when they go around and rebuild stuff. Sometimes they even tear the whole thing down and build it again. The first time I saw it, I was in shock -- Why are they tearing down the shrine? But, no. They built it again. Sometimes they build it differently than before. I'm not sure if this is due to finances or other constraints, or if there is some other reason. The one thing that is constant is the trees. You can almost always spot a shrine in Japan -- you see this weird outcropping of 500 year old trees :-) Especially in the city it's a bit like an oasis of nature -- an anchor to a more stable world. Though I say more stable, really it changes all the time, but looks like it's been like that forever. I really enjoy these things. I am not a religious person and I have next to no education in various religions. However, these kinds of activities really speak to me. I'm always lost as to how to express that side of my nature in my very secular lifestyle.