Nature keeps me grounded...

As I walked through Mariposa Grove, I clicked my shutter towards scenes of greenery, enormous sequoias and lightly scorched branches that once stood in the way of a spit of energy sent from our heavens.  Through the lens, I captured small square shots in close proximity and off far away.  Endless rays of light filtered down from the sky, splitting each sequoia into individual souls towering over me, leading down to my feet, and freeing me to seek my potential.  I stared through the lens with great perception not realizing that the true meaning lied in what I saw when I viewed its presence with my naked eye.

The small square no longer existed; the realm of nature was extended with each turn of my head.  Nature's towers leaned over me like a father leaning in for a kiss to his daughter's forehead.  The whispering breeze embraced me in its arms, encouraging me to walk ahead. With each step, new images arose, the root that makes man seem small as an ant, exposing its foundation and explaining its extinction which could take longer than my life to gradually disintegrate.

So as abundant as life expectations can be, nature keeps me grounded… I have to take time to inhale what's around me in order to exhale what's within me.  I hiked up five miles to Chilnualna Falls, mostly by myself, and yet with all my surroundings.  As the trail steepened I doubted myself.  There had to be something at the top to set this path in front of me. I found brief moments to catch my breath and ponder the reasons I find myself here.  One moment led to my last trip to Yosemite; I recall my father waving from the waterfall when he was the exact age I am now. Instantly, I found my inner motivation.  As I neared the top, the trees seemed shorter and the surrounding mountains were at eye level. The path was filled with rocks and boulders; I searched for the perfect keepsake to add to my pieces of earth that I collect as a reminder of nature's existence.

I climbed over the last set of boulders to find waterfalls and pools filled with enticing smiles.  I had made it to the top.  The view was mesmerizing; it was as if I was standing at the end of the earth and watching life pass.  I was simply happy to be there.  I stood on the edge, inhaled deeply, took in the magnificent view and waved from the waterfall.  At that moment, the feeling in my toes led me to my inner self.