Into the Woods

I went into the woods today, my thoughts churning with unresolved problems. I tramped up the hill… and stopped. A bed of violets spread out purple and green before me—my grandmother’s favorite flower.

I hiked and hiked and hiked. The breeze caressed my face and I slowed down. The smell of spring, the song of the birds…

I stopped under a Sequoia tree. Huge and old and solid. Generations upon generations have brought their problems here. The Sequoia has heard it all. Suddenly my own problems didn’t seem so big. I looked up and saw these giants swaying in the wind. So solid from the ground, but dancing at the top.

I walked on. Water, ivy, paths and roads. Deep carpeted forests. Light networks of branches, luminous leaves glowing new green in the sunlight.

This has all been here long before me. Whatever I must face today will pass and another challenge will come. And the forest will remain. Quietly breathing. Reminding me to do the same.