A
Soul’s Holiday
(10-20-21)
After turning sixty, I read that I have
been alive for 22,000 days on this planet. I knew most of these days had been me
spent hashing and rehashing my what if this or what if that’s. Up to this
point, I did not appreciate being alone with myself. It scared me to be alone
with my 60,000 thoughts I have a day with 80% of my thoughts being negative.
Even worse is 95% are the same repetitive thoughts as the day before. One of my
favorite quotes is “When you know better, you do better. Maya Angelou.” I made this my mantra and decided it was time
for a change. I enjoyed the time I had spent hiking with friends, but I wanted
to try a solo hike without my friends, my dog, and a music playlist. I felt
like the scariest thing I could encounter on the trail was not as scary as some
of the things I had been through this far along in life. As I stepped onto the
trail for my first solo hike, the stress drained from my psyche. Instantly it
was easier to breathe and even with a backpack the load on my shoulders was
lighter than when I was sitting at my computer. This isolation was slowly
clearing my mind to discern my troubles. I wished I would have figured out
sooner that I needed opportunities to refresh and reground myself. I knew I was
in for some productive thinking. I kept my music off because it allowed me to
immerse myself fully into the experience. The noise of the trees rustling, the
birds chirping, twigs snapping as I walk down the path was music to my ears. The
sounds were quite exciting. The experience was not unlike reading an enjoyable
book for the first time, when nothing exists but you and the story pulling you
along. The worries of the world faded, my mindfulness became keener, and the expedition
more magnificent with each step. Starting a hike early had momentous results in
getting to see mother earth awaken for the day. The morning dew on the flowers
glistened like diamonds as the sun shined through the trees. Just being present
was enough, no pressure to interact with anyone. It was easier for me to release
any principle of who I am, what I want, and what has happened in the past. This peaceful experience in
nature is something money cannot buy. It was easy for me to allow my soul to
get in tune with the natural rhythm of things, cleanse my mind, and reap the
benefits of meditation without much effort.
Due to COVID-19, we have all
become experts at being alone. COVID-19 has forced us into new, lonelier ways
of existing in the world. Solitude can have positive effects of more freedom to
increased spirituality, while negative effects are socially depriving and may
trigger the onset of mental illness. A daily walk in a local park or visiting a
trail climbing up a bluff can be just what you needed to get away from
something. I usually do not know what the something is until the solitude
reveals it to me. I may not have 22,000 days left in my life, but now that I
know better, I am trying my best to not waste any days, minutes, or seconds on
things I cannot change. Solitude is addictive, but I also enjoy my time in
nature with my family and friends. What nature has to offer feels like a gift
and you should unwrap it every chance you get.
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