Contributed by David Jenkins
Photo courtesy of DavidCJenkins Photography
As I gazed into the rolling emerald pool beneath me, a peculiar thought entered my mind. I imagined what it would be like if I were to stumble forward and fall in; to sink below the frothy, rippling surface. While in the midst of this musing, I found myself stumbling forward. Down I tumbled.
As I made contact with the murky, chilling rapids, I was met with a tranquil euphoria. I had not fallen in any conventional way. My mind, my soul, my worries and stress had taken a dive. I was overtaken by a sense of clarity while peering into that water.
During that instant, nothing really mattered. I was enveloped in the scenery around me and gently grasped in Nature's seemingly tender, yet strong embrace. In that moment, as she held me close, Nature whispered softly in my ear.
While she spoke in her own primordial dialect, I understood every single word. It was a message of comfort and reassurance, but also a reminder of the contrast between her eternity and my own mortality. I almost said goodbye, but then I realized that this was foolish! She never leaves my side.
As I turned around to leave, I saw my troubles emerge from the depths further downstream, and climb ashore; they were noticeably miserable. Drenched and shivering, they hung their heads in shame and were hesitant to approach me.
That day I was reminded of how much power I really have. Stress can't control my life and keep me in a state of sorrow unless I let it. Sometimes I need a moment to let it all go, to put things into perspective... A moment away from the city, away from my job, away from the daily pressures of life, to realize that I have more control than I often think.
