I have cultivated a deeper appreciation for the place I live this past year, an appreciation I wished I would have deepened sooner. The school year is fleeting and come September I have no idea where I will be. I have been pushing myself to explore my town at more presenting opportunities. This pursuit has been so fulfilling, the other day I was driving with my friends trying to find an isolated park I discovered in the rain in December. I made a wrong turn and we drove down a new road to find a waterfall. Every time I go exploring I usually find something that impresses me, and I am not even trying that hard. It fills me up with gratitude that the natural world outside my door is so breathtaking.
The Beauty of the Sunrise
Some of the most positive life-changing experiences I hold have taken place in the morning. I have had some of the greatest mornings of my life this past month. Especially since the sun has been rising later, it has been easier to catch it coming up over the mountains. I have cherished some of these mornings with my friends and myself, traveling to scenic views hidden from people. It is gratifying to experience what I think is the greatest part of the day, and it is brilliant that you can experience it in solitude. Intentionally waking up early has never left me with regrets. When night approaches I commonly get anxious. Watching the sunrise is very relieving; watching the darkness dissolve into warmed-toned colors.
In Between the Mountains and the Sea
On a Tuesday morning before school, I drove north to a ranch that beholds a green field on a cliff overlooking the massive sea. It is one of the most stunning places I have been able to witness. I had never traveled there by myself, so I walked down the long pathway to my destination to watch the sun emerge from the side of the cliff, illuminating the water with golden light.
I packed too many things, including a guitar and crocheting supplies but for most of the time, I just journaled, meditated, and basked in the meadow while treasuring the view. I took photos on my film camera and walked about, sipping deep breaths of air and reaching for the mountains on my left and the ocean on my right.
The Signifigance of Connection in the Natural World
I am so lucky that the place where I live makes it so easy to find beautiful places and admire them. It is one of the most prepossessing locations. That being said, it took a long time to emerge in a place where I recognize the beauty of my neighboring world and feel connected to it. Feeling connected to the place where you find sanctuary is so powerful, and the more I have reached this state of awe, the happier I have found myself. If you are able to and it is safe, explore as much as you can because it can feel so rewarding and transformative.
