Summertime to me means waking up at four o'clock in the morning and hiking up Sharp Top in the Blue Ridge Mountains to watch the sunrise. There is no other feeling greater than reaching the end of the trail and allowing the beauty that is the sky catching on fire to wash the exhaustion from the strenuous hike away. But that is not the only thing that washes away. All my stress, all my worries, all my anxiety is blinded by the majesty before me. All my blues are replaced with fiery oranges. From the peak, I can see my town, I can see my best friend's old farm, I can point out, in every direction and as far as the eyes can see, the places where my small town life has staked its claim. I feel relaxed. I feel connected. I feel spiritual.
I guess that's why I deprive myself of sleep, then. It is not for the view. It is for the feeling. The only other time in my life I have ever felt so content was when I was on a ship in the middle of the ocean staring at the never-ending blue wonder surrounding me. The hike is a little less expensive and a little more easily attainable than a cruise, however, so I am drawn back to that spot, perched atop that mountaintop over and over and over again.
That being said, you would think I only have positive things to say about this hike. It conjures up so many emotions that I rarely get to experience. But isn't that the problem? Why should I only feel harmonious standing at the top of the world when most of my time is spent at the bottom? It is easy to feel good when you are looking at something gorgeous, but that doesn't mean beauty can't be found in the simplicity of everyday life.
When I am walking down the street to class, focused on nothing but the ground and the music coming out of my headphones, I should feel relaxed. When I am sitting on the floor in my room surrounded by the friends I love, I should feel connected. When I am sitting in class, nourishing and expanding my mind, wishing I was anywhere but there, I should feel spiritual. I should feel harmonious, but I am simply not taking the time to come to terms with that.
I shouldn't need a perfect ball of fire shoved in my face to realize that this world has beauty. Because you know what? Life really is beautiful. It is both complex and simple, difficult and easy, exciting and relaxing. My new goal is to not get so caught up in rush hour, which tends to last all day in my mind. I want to feel that feeling I feel at the peak of Sharp Top every day of my life. I am confident that everyday life can be just as beautiful. All I have to do is be a little more mindful to prove it to myself.