Long Walks and Deep Thoughts

 I did go back to hike that mountain. Another beautiful day and all called to me and I couldn’t stay away. I noticed that I stopped less often on the way up, but my leg muscles are screaming. I wish I had checked my heart rate when I felt it pounding the hardest, but I keep forgetting this thing on my arm will tell me that.  Not that it matters and I may be better off not knowing. 

Bella was super good today. She listened and obeyed well. She moved out of the way of others and waited patiently as they passed on by. At the top there was already people over at the overlook and they were locked in place. Several hawks were doing loops and the folks there, were determined to catch the full act, which meant I couldn’t get close enough for any photos. There will be other days and other aerobatics by the birds. I gave Bella some water, I finished off the bottle and then we started toward the Tower Trail.

I didn’t try to take many photos today, the skies were a bit hazy and didn’t inspire me at all. Bella, thankfully took it easy on me trying to climb up the rocks you had to cross to get to the trail head. Its funny in a way to watch her stop and look back as if making sure I was there and okay. When we finally reached the trail head and began our descent, I had plenty of time to think.

On the way up, I had spoken with several people. Most were friendly but not overly talkative. One gentleman actually stopped and we had a brief conversation, then he was on his way down as Bella and I headed up. Everyone at the top were preoccupied with everything dealing with being on the top of a mountain.

I was thinking about all of that as I walked and sometimes slid on gravel, down the mountain. There was only one individual all day who fully and completely ignored my greeting. But that act, lead to the following deep thoughts.

 I have made the comments on how we are all important. We all have vital roles in this live. Everything we were, are and will be, plays an essential part. 

Every life is like a piece in a ginormous puzzle. Each piece important in the completion of the puzzle and in the creation of the artwork it shows. It doesn’t matter where you fit in the puzzle, be it a corner, a border, or somewhere in the middle, you’re important.

It doesn’t matter whether you are CEO of a company or the janitor. You can be the highest ranking member of the military, or the private just in the door. All are important. All are needed to finish the puzzle. 

Every part of a building has purpose. From the foundation, to the framing to the roof. From the plumbing to the wiring, all matter.

 Every part of a car, from the wheels, the motor, the transmission, the brakes and more of course, all have reason to be there.

 Its the same with each and every human life. We all have a purpose. We may teach, we may guide, we may heal. We may be the one who encourages those who feel downtrodden and forgotten.

We may be the writer, the artist, the dancer, singer, gymnast or any other creative outlet, we have purpose.

We may be the one who is there to uplift, to listen, to understand and show compassion and empathy. Holding a place while one seeks to gain in their strength and peace. Holding a place while they heal and grow strong from a wounded spirit. Understanding that this was a moment, a season in time that they will move on to their corner of the puzzle, their nail in the construction of life.

We may be the one, needing another to reach out in compassion.

We forget or ignore the fact that we are all on this planet together. It would be much nicer if we got along. If we shared a smile, a kind word, a compassionate moment. If we understood that some of us may be the coloring book, others the crayon and someone the artist who doesn’t always believe in staying within the lines.

It is a long walk down that mountain, taking that trail. If I went down the way I went up, it would be much shorter. Probably because my clumsy self would end up rolling down those three hundred plus steps. I do enjoy that walk and the time it allows for my mind to wander and wax philosophical over subjects deep or shallow. Or even shallow that can become deep if you look at it from just the right perspective.

And if you notice that when I go into deep thinking mode, I tend to wander about in circles, often getting lost in my thoughts. That is the way I drive as well when I’m going somewhere new, lost and in circles- which is why I rarely go anywhere new alone. 

One of the good things about having gone hiking there so often, Bella is learning to walk directly beside me and not in front or hanging off the side of the embankment. It was amazing watching her today, just calmly and totally exhausted walking along with me, ready for the ride home. She knew I’d turn on the radio and she wouldn’t have to listen to my rambling any longer.

Long walks, deep thoughts and a mountain that gives one opportunity for both.