Hiking and Hard Work

Returning to the wilderness of the Cascades today was magical and reminded me of so much joy I have been fortunate enough to enjoy in my life to this point. I have lived quite the privileged life here in the suburbs of Seattle surrounded by jolly forests and an exceptionally safe environment, and I think I am finally reconciling with my past hatred for this place. I still don't think I can handle a lot of it, and it helps that I am currently amidst family who are such a separate world, but I the exquisite beauty of these mountains are truly something I miss. I went hiking with my relatives on a rocky, but short and somewhat flat trail along the river to a beautiful waterfall bounded by snow and sharp, austere sheets of rock. Along the trail it felt so possible to lose ones footing along the maze of muddy dirt, pointy bedrock, and bent tree segments. Yet at the end of this trail in the chilly early morning, the river crashed downwards immersing me in a fine and refreshing alpine mist. Gentle to the eyes, yet sharp to the ears were the many images of the trail from the immense waterfall to the lopsided trees to the face of my young cousin minutes before she cries. There is such juxtaposition in nature, yet it all makes sense for some reason. There is a balance. Some trees fall because of erosion and the ground cannot hold it by chance, or the trees fall because they could not grip their roots stronger to the ground. Other tress lose their lives by happenstance. Nature allows us for some choice in life, but often we control little, and the parts of life we tend to care about the most like marriage and death inevitably encounter the most frustration.


Besides the marvel of the hike, I also had a full day of work. I spend a lot of time organizing a slideshow for my sister and practicing my torah portion. I felt like I worked to my wit's end today, and I still feel like I have more to do. Despite all I have to do, I am learning that through practice, devotion, and determination I can achieve what I set out to do. I have almost mastered my torah portion and I completed the slideshow with a few edits to be made. I am learning so much every day of my life, and it helps to just let go of the pressures of class for a time and enjoy the company of my fascinating and wonderful relatives.

"Naive Orleans" - Anberlin