Day 17: Another Look at Cathedral Rock

I will take this opportunity to express my gratitude.

For the beautiful rocks, trees, flowers and flowing water. I am also grateful for the people who tend to these trails. They are the cleanest trails I have ever hiked. I know there is a corps of dedicated volunteers and Forestry personnel who make a big difference for the rest of us. Some of the stairs and stones look impossibly placed and some are appear so natural I did not notice them. I am also grateful to the visitors who are respectful and kind.

This is my second time on this trail; this time with company. I felt its energy more deeply this time because of my hiking companions. My cousin Sean and his partner Jenn (she is family, too). They are wonderful people with whom I have shared some magical times. Which brings me to another expression of gratitude. I have a lot to be grateful for, but I am most extremely blessed with family. I am lucky enough to be related to people who I would otherwise choose as my friends.From siblings to cousins, aunts and uncles (may they rest in peace)I am a rich man!

I cannot miss a chance to express gratitude for my life-healing work and my wonderful colleagues--like brothers and sisters. I am living my dreams because I made the choice to recognize my own value, love myself and be of service to others. No matter what misinformation is propagated, I know from my own experience that I am surrounded by loving people.

I am so grateful for the water. It felt really cleansing today, just to walk by it, to stop and stare. It kept most of the trail cool and made the rising sun feel refreshing rather than oppressive. Such a small, but powerful body of water. It's beauty feeds so many plants, animals and people for miles around. I hope living in the desert is helping me to appreciate this precious resource more.

The flowers and trees along this path are so numerous and incredible. I only captured small elements of this natural garden. Of course, I was happy to see Sacred Datura. I noticed a little island where the creek widened. It was full of Datura bushes. Someday I will go back to that island and meditate.

Cathedral Rock was really beautiful from this vantage point. I really reflected on what that Vortex represents. I remembered how it helped me to notice and release a long held fear 3 years ago. So this time I approached it with gratitude, expecting nothing. Inhaling the scents of the trail, especially the water. I remembered the power of breathing. When we exhale, we release our solitary nature and momentarily regain our oneness with all of creation. And many beings are fed by our exhalation.

With gratitude, I saw this beauty as if for the first time. Like the rushing water, gratitude is cleansing. Like the blossoming flower it is an opening to abundance. Like the magical red rocks it is the supportive and fertile ground for our dreams. I am blessed.

I would also like to thank you for reading my blog and joining me on this journey. I appreciate your feedback and comments. I appreciate your support and I hope that you can share in my blessings. Walk in beauty, my friends.