Swept Along

There are times when I feel as though I am being swept along by the rushing current of modern life. It seems to move along at a pace out of my control, twisting and turning with little notice. There are boulders of problems just below the surface that are avoided only with a keen eye, quick thinking and a little luck. Life froths and rushes whether I have a paddle or not.

There are moments though, when I find myself ashore. Often these times, amusingly enough, are when I find myself in a natural setting. The quiet and beauty provide some serenity. But, it is my engaging with the environment that truly transports my mind to place outside that rushing torrent of the "real world".

When I build a shelter or fire from materials harvested by my hands alone, there is a sense of empowerment and presentness that washes over my mind. For some people, this mental state is reached while driving, others find it in deep meditation. Regardless of how I end up there, resting upon the shore helps make returning to the river more of an enjoyable adventure than a perilous journey.