Nature understands me.

I returned to the Upper Blue River Trail loop today. I hiked alone. Well, I had my thoughts to accompany me.

Hiking alone through a winter forest cloaked in dampness is an experience of hushed solitude. During a solo hike in the mist or winter, the quiet world presents a distinct pleasure. The air hangs heavy; the silence broken only by the soft drip of raindrops and the crunch of your boots on the frost-laced ground. Muffling fog creates a sense of intimacy with the surrounding landscape, highlighting the subtle sounds of dripping mist.

Bare branches, stark against the gray sky, reach out like skeletal fingers, while the evergreens stand stoic, cloaked in a mantle of icy needles. Dampness seeps into my clothes, a constant reminder of the chill that nips at my exposed skin.

Yet, there’s a strange beauty in this stark landscape, a sense of peace that comes from being alone amidst the quiet power of nature. The isolation fosters a sense of introspection, allowing my mind to wander freely amidst the muted scenery. In this quietude, I can truly appreciate the raw beauty of nature, the stillness broken only by the rhythm of my breath and the steady beating of my heart. It’s a feeling of complete immersion, a chance to be present in the moment and forge a personal connection with the grandeur of the natural world.

I enjoy nature for its purity. People often misinterpret things I say, and quickly jump to conclusions. Making assumptions of my intents. Nature exists in a state of pristine clarity, untouched by the muddled interpretations and miscommunications that plague human interaction. Its language is not one of words, but of cycles, patterns, and processes that unfold with an unwavering logic, unburdened by the complexities of subjective meaning. The sunrise paints the sky with vibrant hues, not to convey a message, but simply because it is the inevitable consequence of the Earth’s rotation. The crash of waves against the shore speaks not of anger or sorrow, but of the fundamental forces shaping the coastline. In nature, there is no room for misinterpretation, only the pure, unfiltered expression of a universe governed by its own set of rules. I wish human beings would take the same approach.

Until next time,

Tim

Comments

Mentor

When my photography journey rekindled back in 2015 with a trip to Maine, I never knew how far I would come and how important pushing a button on a camera would be. I have come a long way, but still have so much more to learn. A mentor is described as an experienced and trusted adviser (noun) . Also, as someone who will advise or train (someone, especially a younger colleague ) (verb). Wikipedia also states mentorship is the patronage, influence, guidance, or direction given by a mentor. A mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person. Since I have gotten more serious about my photography, I have been looking for a mentor that fits these categories listed above. Seeking guidance, I reached out to a handful of “professional” photographers to inquire about mentorship. I received no response from one person, another person casually mentioned that they rarely mentor, and a third person kindly explained that they ...

Nobody's Listening

I recently had conversations with two people I know that had experienced a sudden rash of acute anxiety. One was medication related, the other was situational. Both stated that they now had a better understanding of what I have been dealing with. With the recent changes to my medication, Although I still feel anxiety, it no longer takes control of my emotions like it did in the past. However, I know acutely that it still lurks on the fringes, patiently awaiting its chance to pounce on me. During my recent visit to Dr. Erin, she assigned me an exercise where I had to jot down three things each day that I felt I excelled at. This is proving to be difficult for me. The parameters are straightforward and easy to understand. “Anything I do well that day,” she said. As I continued with this exercise, I began thinking of a song by Linkin Par called Nobody’s Listening. I got a heart full of pain, head full of stress Handful of anger held in my chest And everything left’s a wast...

Tested

Life is a series of tests, pushing us to our limits and forcing us to grow. All blessings originate from a God, yet they manifest through different circumstances, encounters, and individuals. Throughout the past six weeks, I have encountered a myriad of these tests. This is part of the reason I have not written in a while - the constant distractions that have consumed my time and focus. Balancing my mental state and warding off anxiety has consumed my attention, leaving no room to articulate my thoughts through writing. My journey began recently when, with the advice of a medical professional, I began taking Trintellix at its lowest dose of 5mg per day. Gradually I increased to 10mg a day and now am at 20mg a day. During this time, my anxiety has lessened quite a bit, but recent events have put this medication to the test. Our initial challenge was to carefully research vans, searching for ones that would be ideal for safely transporting our furry companions. The cramped spac...

Ruminator

Search This Blog