Beauty and Service

After all these months of hiking in Sedona I have finally hit the Soldier's Pass Trail. Maybe it was the influence of my last post. Maybe a weekend day in the fall is the only time that it is really accessible for me (limited hours for entry). Either way, Sunday was a good day to go. For the most part, I was on my own and when I ran into people later, I made some good connections. This place is famous for a pass that connects to other trails, a series of seven small natural pools, a set of caves and an arch. I didn't expect that the trail had so many offshoots, so I did not see everything. I enjoyed the cool air, the magnificent views and the plant life.

Unlike my trek to the burnt out forest, many of the plants on the Soldiers Pass Trail are pretty common to this area. It was the abundance that surprised me. Especially, the Century plants, a species of Agave that blooms once in 100 years. There were so many here that I lost count. Because it is deep autumn, they were all in various stages of death or decay. I took many photos and shared a few here. When they are in their prime, they are a beautiful shade of golden yellow with red piping. Early in the summer, they were surrounded by bees and birds and sometimes dripping with nectar. But I had not visited this trail in the Summer, so I had not seen this many Century plants in one place. I could only imagine what they looked like in the Summer.

Because I was on the Soldier's Pass Trail, and these trees stood up like guards at attention, I started thinking of them as Sentry plants. I couldn't resist the word play, and they inspired many creative thoughts.It was a beautiful climb. And then, there were some other surprise plant life. I have a photo here with an Arizona Cypress. I am told they only grow in this valley. This one looks pretty old and it was growing right out of the rock. I see that a lot with the plants here. I guess they have to take advantage of what little shade, soil or moisture wherever it is provided. I long to be that creative. I have said it before and will probably say it many times, that the beauty here inspires me. Beyond the aesthetic appeal. It's the inspiration of possibility.

And I walk on in gratitude to this beauty. I open my hands, my arms, my heart and I receive this beauty. This is my temple; the perfect place for meditation and contemplation. In this space, you don't have to believe in God or spirits or energy. You will feel something essential that renders discussions on belief moot.

On that note, this was a day when many people in this community transcended the boundaries of their own beliefs and worked together to help many local charities. It was called Mitzvah Day. Mitzvah is a good deed, also a commandment because it is the action that forms the basis of healthy society. I was touched by the hundreds of people generously donating their time. I was happy with the opportunity to meet some of my "neighbors." I was impressed by the way the people were reflecting the beauty of their surroundings. People of various ages and abilities. I chose to work at the "Peace Garden" and learned a lot about gardening in a short time. I took a photo of the medicine wheel some of us weeded, seeded and watered. I am grateful for yet another inspirational lesson in creativity.