What Hiking Does For The Soul

Some people eat. Some people escape in a book or a movie. Some people call a friend. I move. When I am having a particularly stressful day, or week or year, I prefer to move. No, not leave the state, but move my body. It is my therapy. I like to go to the gym or run or some combination of, whenever I can. If I don't get to, I just might get a bit crabby. When life is especially stressful, I hike. Today, I am going to hike. We have a trail, the Red Trail, that is longish and steepish and goes to a beautiful view near the bluffs. It will be just what I need. Fresh air helps. Hearing birds sing and watching deer run past me also helps. Watching the wind move the branches of the trees helps. Moving my feet and clearing my mind helps. I think nature is essential to the human condition, and when we don't stay in touch with nature, we lose touch with our souls. Listen to a brook babble and tell me I'm wrong.