HOPE

My favorite way to explore nature is to start my journey without any idea of what I will find.  I start at a point that may have potential but no promises. It is a practice called “walking meditation”. I allow the universe and mother nature to speak to me. 

Having said that, I am always in search of the “golden nuggets”: water, light, rocks, trees, etc.

This week I was able to hike on a beautiful piece of property.  It is a private piece which means I was all by myself for a good bit of the hike.  The elevation increased by a foot every three feet.  It was pretty steep and since there was no trail it was somewhat strenuous. 

What drew me in to the hike was the unmistakable sound of water.  Not rushing, not loud but this trickling sound that made me want to follow.  And follow I did.  Only to be rewarded by a spring that had eroded enough of the ground to create several ledges and of course a waterfall.  Not large by any stretch of the imagination but there all the same.

On top of the ledge was the coolest tree that had several of its roots exposed.  That is something that makes me so happy!  To see a tree that anchors down in rocky terrain and not only survive but thrive.  That speaks to me about the human spirit.

And then I summited the first of three hills only to be welcomed by warm yellow sunshine that danced among the still colorful leaves.

Water, light, rocks, and trees.

Last week I shared my personal struggle with daylight savings time.  I HATE IT!! 

This week while I was hiking, I began to wonder…If all I saw was daylight would I relish it like I did this weekend?

Life is defined by opposites.  We can appreciate the light because we know what it is to live in darkness. I love the barren and raw beauty of “Yellowstone”, but it always makes me grateful for the lush Smokey Mountain National Park in my own back yard.  

The journey requires both the good and the bad to make sense.  Today, for the first time in all of this year, I feel hopeful.  Not because it isn’t dark anymore, but because I know that I will stand in the sunshine again and be a little more grateful for it.  I have hope.