Regaining Perspective

I needed to drive over to the Oconaluftee Visitors Center yesterday, and so had an opportunity to reflect on how blessed I have been to this point.

Before moving here, I had been to Western North Carolina twice to see the fall colors and had missed it both times. Now I live here, and, as I drove the Great Smoky Mountain Expressway, I could see hints of red and yellow in what had been a palette of mostly greens only days earlier. It occurred to me that I had fallen into the habit of interpreting the world from my hillside vantage in Asheville, and the things that I love about the mountains had gotten away from me a little bit.

When I was over in Eastern North Carolina for Hurricane Irene, I remember thinking that I missed my mountains. Hiking the Smokemont Loop on the 15th – even that two-mile uphill section that had me sucking wind – got me back in touch with the feel of what drew me here; but yesterday reminded me of the sense of what drew me here. Last week I was seeing and breathing the trees, but yesterday I was seeing the forest and the mountains.
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Anyway, that freshened perspective started a cascade of appreciation for my situation. I had the opportunity to leave the cubicle, to move here, to hike these trails, and to do the volunteer work that I do; and so many people are trapped in their lives. I take no pride in this because my choices have been almost entirely selfish. I was blessed to have been born American, to have never borne the risk of losing a loved one to war, famine, or pestilence. I enlisted to avoid the draft (Bear with me; it made sense then.) and re-enlisted mostly to avoid having to re-integrate into 1969 America. I freely acknowledge that my choices haven’t always been good (Can I get an “Amen?”); but they all brought me to this place at this time, and this is a good place for me at this time.

It occurs to me that, after coming here, I have fallen back into mindless habits; going through the motions of daily life usually without engagement. I’ve begun taking most things for granted again. I’ve gotten away from my practice. I need to honor this opportunity.