for the sheer depth of joy that would come with the total immersion of mind, body and spirit into the wilderness. I wasn’t even close. In three short months, I had forgotten the thrill of knowing the exhilaration of finding that there is nothing between me and nature except the air I breathe and my Pentax. I had forgotten how awe-inspiring creation is when I can see it up close and personal. I had forgotten just how alluring the smells of the earth in winter could be.
Today, however, I was reminded. The sights, sounds and smells took me from my present self and put me in an altered state of mind. One that thrives on finding out where the trail leads, then, when the trail has run its course, the adrenaline punching adventure of veering off to become one with the hills and valleys, the streams and creeks of my mountain; for today, it was on my mountain that I wandered. My mind was peaceful, my thoughts were clear and my body strong as it responded to the challenges and physical demands of making my way through thickets and briar-laden brambles on steep, rocky hillsides.
The mind-numbing exhaustion of the past few weeks dissipated like fog under a summer sunrise. With every step, I felt my energy level rise and my stress level fade into oblivion and it didn’t escape me that I can find myself in this same state of mind over and over; that nothing can happen to me in a week’s time that I can’t undo with a hike into places both known and unknown. My mind is already full with thoughts of where I will go next week. I am blessed beyond measure by the simple things in life that God knows I have a need of.
Even now, I feel as though the energy inside me will simply burst forth, creating a display of light and shadow all around me. I suppose, since there happens to be no other, more enjoyable outlet, I will expend that energy on laundry. Pity.
Psalms 96: 11-12 ~ Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice.
A Photographer's Heart 