I hike to become whole

Leash in hand, gate closed, feet forward, heart ready.

Inhale, belly ribs chest. Exhale out. Inhale, belly ribs chest. Exhale out.
One last time.
Inhale, belly ribs chest. Ahhhhh.

The breath, prana, life force surrounds tranquil spaces of green.

It transcends time, supporting moments of turbulence and wraps around chests of anxiety.

Gratitude fills lungs longing for more.

These moments of natural beauty pass too quickly so I stop. I stop. I pause. I stop again.

Curiosity creeps into every new vision. Every new Sound. The Smells. The Feelings. Ears perk, head cocks. I'm not alone. Hawks & cranes are back. Solo today they send messages of independence. "Stand strong on your own two feet."

I come to an overlook, ready with person made platforms. Supine, I look up ready to day dream. When did I last cloud search?

Breathing deeply again, gracious of the stillness, I feel a friend lay beside me looking out at the world.

Beauty in everything. Rows of questions stagger before me, passing slowly like a memory wheel.

Layers upon layers move over one another building bridges of light for attentive gazers.

La Luna to the left, migrating geese to the right. the universe & the earth seamlessly flying together.

Reluctantly I bring my knees to my chest & rock up. A few sun salutations later it's time to move on.

Saeku & I find fallen oaks to walk across, thick strong trunks sturdy for climbing.

As exposed root systems collide, I notice synapses of wisdom once passing through loquacious fungi hanging like a broken spider web.

Habitats for organisms we can't see. Messengers spanning centuries, I bow in respect. I lay my hands to feel their support.

Broken oaks with roots & vines enveloping from the midline. Barkless some stand barely living, sprouting new tiny buds.

This place is where I thrive. Where I feel needed. Where everything serves a purpose. Describing something so superb feels like I'm discounting its authentic voice. Yet most walk fast. Some barely notice an 1/8 of what I did here. So I stop again. I listen to Cooper & Crane. I stand strong on my own two feet. Facing forward. Leash in hand, heart heavy & ready. I turn around often to see where I came from. Smile & turn back again.

Breathing in, belly ribs chest, breathing out sighing heavy. Slow down. Being here. Right now.

An hour later walking through Walmart, a kind worker asks, "are you really as happy as you look?"

"Yes, I just went for a nice hike."

"Huh?" He smiles back puzzled & pleased. "Well, you smile from within. That's a great quality."

"Thank you." For making my day I should have said.

Nature speaks to our soul and invigorates a sense of warmth & compassion that creates a stammering sense of kindness. It carries through. I have yet to experience a day outside that I don't feel a sense of gratitude. Whether it's for the sun, moon, stars, wind, snow, sights, sounds, smells or people playing a game. This earth is here. We are here. For me, there needn't be much more than that. In my most authentic voice, this is why I hike & heal. As much as I can. Every single day. When I don't, I am not me. I am a spiritual being living a physical existence. I am the universe & earth seamlessly flying together as one. I hike to become whole.

​-Moira