The Desert

I recently went camping in the desert. It was beautiful. The weather at night was absolutely perfect. The air was still and calm, and the sky painted with stars. The full moon unveiled itself in the late hours of the night and illuminated the entire sky. I sat by the fire and listened to my thoughts as I watched the flame kindle and glow. These thoughts were ones I had pushed aside as I went about my days working, and simply pushing onward through it until it was over. Thoughts of worries and stresses, doubts, dreams, desires, and anything that came to mind in the course of some busy, tiresome days. In this pause, by the glowing fire and in the peaceful calm beauty of my atmosphere, I was able to acknowledge these thoughts, and watch them drift slowly by like the smoke from the flame. I felt completely peaceful. I was finally able to collect my thoughts and reconcile them, good or bad. It was a mysterious peace and comfort. I was somewhere I had never been: a vast desert with an endless space above. Being distanced from my home and daily routine, I was able to hear my thoughts, and completely absorb my surroundings. As I went to sleep I heard crickets and frogs croaking in the distance, and the coyotes making their nightly howl. I heard the fire crackling a few last times before it burned out. Every once in a while the wind would gust and the shrubs would sway. I wasn’t afraid though. I knew that nature was being nature. The next day I hiked and saw an Oasis. I collected various formations of the loveliest rocks I encountered. I saw hummingbirds(including a nest of babies), and big-horned sheep making their way up the mountain. Every moment was valuable. 

I returned home from this brief weekend trip to a nearby desert with my family feeling bittersweet but inspired. I had an experience that I really needed. I am always fantasizing and dreaming of faraway lands. Especially lands to escape and distract me from my thoughts and fears.I had eventually developed an understanding that no matter where I was, I would still have to deal with the issues at hand, even if I was far away from it all and in a better environment. This may be somewhat true. However, now, that desire to travel and longing for nature is a longing for peace. And when I feel peaceful, I can face anything. I am fervently awaiting my next travel.