I haven't gone hiking in months. Living in the big city, I forget about the joy I experience in nature sometimes. I immediately noticed the incredible growth in the last couple of months. During the spring when I last hiked, the trees were still mostly barren, with dark branches making a stark contrast against the blue sky. Today leaves, flowers, and fruits weighed down on the branches. They provided a much better canopy from the sun's rays, though I had on a Yankees hat that sheltered my face from the harmful UV light. :)

Nothing rejuvenates me like a nice hike up in the mountains. I saw a deer peaking behind the branches up a hill, a lizard hurrying along on the dirt, bees buzzing around sweet summer flowers, and flowers loosing their petals in the wind. As white petals rain down on me, I feel the joy of life. There's so much beauty around me, and I feel humbled to be a part of it. I am beauty, love, and joy.