Life's Landscape

The Landscape of My Life

As I sat on an airplane bound for California to visit my mother, looking at the landscape below, I contemplated the landscape of my life. How does my life appear? Does it appear more like the rugged mountains with their dramatic ups and downs, sharp edges, yet breathtaking vistas? Or, is it more the flat valley with waving grasses, blustery winds and straight, predictable lines. Perhaps it is a seashore with its changing tides, rolling waves, life above and life below the surface. Or, the gently rolling hills, seasonally changing from green to brown and back again - nothing dramatic but lovely, flowing, peaceful. I suppose my life has been a bit of all of these terrains - a traveler along life's pathway enjoying the beauty of each, navigating the challenges of each.

Where I feel most alive and most connected is at the seashore. Perhaps it is the mystery of the deep - the sense that there is much still to be explored below the surface. I am awed by the power of the sea, the colors of the sea, the beauty of the sea. It reminds me that I am not in control and at any time it could come and sweep me into its depths. Yet it mesmerizes me, hypnotizes me, enchants me. I desire to discover more of its mystery.

I will continue my quest across the landscape of life - discovering my own heights, depths, steep climbs and quiet valleys - carving and molding the landscape of my soul.