325660's blog: "EXPERIENCES"

The awesome power of the thunderstorm fascinates me as I sit on my front porch, cradling a cup of tea, and watching the lightning illuminate the sky. The force of the gale causes the trees to bow in submission to the power of the storm. The garden flowers lie prostrate, surrendering to its fury. I jump as the thunder crashes, laughing to myself that it would startle me. The wind whips my hair about my shoulders and the pounding rain splashes up from the sidewalk in front of me and splatters my legs. I shiver, pull my legs up closer and clutch my cup of tea to my chest, drawing the warmth from it. All my senses are on edge and I can feel the excitement rising as I wait for the next strike. Another bolt flashes and white light consumes everything. So bright that my eyes can barely focus and then in two seconds it’s gone. I’m plunged into darkness once again. I wait… one steamboat, two steamboat, remembering a game from childhood. Thunder explodes suddenly, reverberating in my ears and my heart jumps in my chest. I smile at myself again. I continue to revel in my diversion, relishing the anticipation then the apex, when suddenly the wind changes direction. Strong gusts carrying massive drops of rain pummel me, soaking me to the skin. My wet hair clings to my neck and shoulders. I know I should go inside, yet I can’t resist waiting for one more flash, one more crash. Without delay the storm rewards me with a dazzling burst of electricity exploding with an instantaneous crack of thunder. Startled, my heart skips a beat. I can hear the air crackling around me, my skin tingles from the energy released into the air and the hair on my neck and arms stands on end. Am I shivering from excitement or because I’m saturated with rain? It doesn’t matter. I am satisfied and I know it’s time to go inside.

I have a new ritual. Early Saturday mornings I pull on my favourite jeans and my beat-up hiking boots and venture out to a favourite place of mine. I hike along the still damp trails, breathing in the natural musk of nature... it exhilarates me. The sound of the wind rushing through the trees is music to my ears. The scurry of little animals, frightened by my step, brings a smile to my face. I stoop to pick dainty wildflowers and place them in my hair, so their sweet scent will be my companion as I hike to my final destination... the waterfall. My heart races as I hear the sound of rushing waters, imagining before even seeing the beauty of my waterfall. Then there it is... liquid crystal cascading down hundreds of feet of rock, gathering in a pool of diamonds below. What could be more beautiful? The ritual begins. I survey the side of the cliff and spot my rock. It's quite a climb to get to, but so worth it. As I scale the rocks with my goal in sight, I am aware of my muscles quivering as they work hard to reach their mark. My rock... as I perch myself upon it, I am so close to my waterfall that I can almost reach out and touch it. The water hitting the rocks splatters on my face, the mist drenches my hair. The roar of the rushing waters drowns out all other sounds around me. I close my eyes and breathe deeply. I am one with the cleansing flow. I imagine the water spilling over me, washing away all my cares and stresses. One by one, I reach into my soul and draw out the hurts, the frustrations, the pain, the anger. In my minds eye I look at each one and make a decision. Do I want to hang on to this and let it eat at my soul or will I decide to just let it go, to be washed away by the waterfall... I choose the waterfall. Sometimes it takes an hour, sometimes it takes three, until all the pain is washed away. But then comes the peace. The waterfall floods my soul with warm, comforting peace. A peace so intoxicating that I would dance if I wasn't perched so dangerously upon a rock. The ritual is over. Another week begins.