Alone in the Forest: An Experience of Beauty

My family and I took a trip about four years ago to explore California. Among the many things we did, we visited the Sequoia National Park in Fresno. This park holds the largest tree in the world by volume, “General Sherman.” Just after arriving at our cabin, we were informed that a Starlight Tour of the forest would be taking place that night at ten o’clock. Though I’ve been on many hikes, the Starlight Tour was the most beautiful experience I’ve ever had in the midst of nature.

Before the journey began, there was a quick speech about the history and wildlife of the area. I followed closely along with my family and a few other wondering travelers behind our tour guide. He was one of those rough, older outdoorsmen that have been through extreme experiences in these woods, knowing the path like a child knows his way to the bathroom at night. Though I held a flashlight, I tripped over numerous tree roots; they seemed to have taken over the ground below us, touching every bit of earth their finger-like tips could reach. Suddenly stopping, our guide turned towards us and spoke gruffly. We would be separated from each other by a hundred feet or so and would stay alone in silence for about twenty minutes. To my displeasure, yet not complete surprise, he was completely serious. The group walked, stopping to leave one person every couple minutes. I was told to sit near a big bush, where to my left was the mysterious sequoia forest. On my right a rocky mound about seven feet tall imposed itself upon my spot. I was slightly comforted when I stood up to look around and realized I could see my sister at a distance. Disturbingly, she looked completely content.

What would happen next would make such an impression on me that I return to this memory very often. Sitting alone, I brushed away a few rocks and sticks and laid back, resting my head in my hands. I began to realize that I no longer feel lonely. Looking up at the stars I felt a peace that was incredible yet somewhat familiar. The deafening quiet spoke of God’s presence in the trees around me and the stars above me. This peace, I decided had something to do with being by myself in silence, and the stars told me that God was watching me. Faced with silence under the immense black sky, I was brought to humility. How many trillions of universes zoomed around me? The cold air bit my nose and ears, but I became oblivious as one after another, hundreds of stars fell. I didn’t need to say anything to God and he didn’t need to say anything to me; aware of each other: that was enough. Soon enough, or too soon, I was pulled from my thoughts hearing my tour guide telling me it was time to get up and head back.

The hike was over quickly after that, and I was asleep within an hour. But ever since then, I have a firm conviction that one of the most beautiful things in the world is taking a step into nature, and out of the blur of noises in modern society, just to be alone with powers greater than us. The beauty we experience can change things us, give life to self-awareness and hope. So much that I would encourage anyone searching for something special to take the time to go into nature, into darkness, wherever you must go to be in silence and know Someone is there.

[Picture from http://darekk.com/west/sequoia.htm]

Thoughts on Michael Moore's "Idiot Nation"

In Michael Moore's Idiot Nation, Moore's tone and word choice affected his credibility in my mind. I understand the strong feelings put into the book are surely justified in his mind. I think that until the reader is completely won over, a boldly critical tone is a turn off to the reader. When Moore notes the concern of political leaders "maintaining our title as Dumbest Country on Earth" (135), I found it to be inappropriate and extremely biased. The tone of his overall writing led me to question his credibility and facts.

Another point in Idiot Nation that reoccurred in my mind as I read, was my defensive disbelief. I found myself disbelieving Moore's facts about our political leaders merely because i did not want to imagine the endless possibilities of flaws in our government if Moore was one hundred percent factual. Maybe it has something to do with a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance or hearing the National Anthem at every sporting event, but the pride I have in the United States is deeply ingrained and instinctive. Regardless, I have happily called America my home for my whole life, and therefore I find it difficult to be one thoroughly open minded towards antagonistic views of the U.S. I know our nation is not perfect on any scale. However, I believe, possibly naively, that our president woud to anything in his power for the good of our nation. Likewise, most of our elected officials have good and honest intentions for our country.

Conclusively, I enjoyed reading Idiot Nation. I would definitely not use it as a single resourse to fact, but I do consider it meaningful writing on the flaws of the political system in the United States.

Dixon: A High School Experience

High school was a crazy time for most of us. Tons of things to do, but did we ever get stuff done? It seemed that with so many subjects I wasn’t sure in what direction my life was going. My choir director, Mr. Dixon seemed to pull it all together for me and my classmates. He was not merely concerned with our ability to sing, but our academic success, our manners, our leadership abilities, how we treated our friends, and how we took care of ourselves. I spent over 5 hours a week following this man’s instruction, and today, as I think back, I feel incredibly privileged. I would not be the same person today if I hadn’t gone through the rigorous and what seemed like endless rehearsals. Mr. Dixon expected us to be better than we thought we ever could be; we were wrong. I remember some of the most beautiful experiences of my life that took place because my director demanded beauty. As we were touring various schools in Houston, we stopped by a huge Catholic cathedral, empty except for a few devout souls, kneeling in church on a Wednesday. High school men and women gathered around the alter, we sang together a sacred Latin song of praise. I had never heard such glorious music as I did that afternoon. The enormous cathedral seemed to give us a sense of urgent desire to sing to our fullest potential. Mr. Dixon had a way of knowing we would love it there because when we finished, he just smiled. This is why we had taken the hour bus ride out of our way, not to hash through notes, nor to work on pitches, but to experience true beauty in a modern world that can seem so superficial. Sometimes I wish I were back in my senior year working under his direction, but the Texas State choral director, Joey Martin, has so far exceeded my expectations and gives the impression that this will be a great year.