I went on a walk this morning and began reflecting on the trees.

The Tree of Life analogy is an apt one: we begin as single seedlings of life, move on upward in a single line and then branch out in different patterns, all while solidifying our roots where we were raised. No matter what happens, that tree trunk always grew that way, and those branches had to grow that way, and those roots had to form that way. Even if you took the tree and you moved it to a different location, those facets of the tree were always meant to grow the exact way they did. When it gets resoiled and continues to grow, it will continue growing in the way it was meant to in that specific way in that specific point on earth. This analogy doesn't just work on us as individuals, but also on societies and indeed entire civilizations and species as a whole. We were all one once, in this primitive sort of way. We all grew together, in either direction, and we all ended up where we were meant to be.

Nietzsche wrote "It is only ideas gained from walking that have any worth." For the first time in my life today, I found this statement to be indisputable. The specific motion of the trees blowing gently in the wind, that puppy barking at passing cars, that way you gave a little hop over that stream left over from last night's rain made your walk today entirely different from the one you took yesterday. Your inner state, combined with the external stimulation of the outside world, makes your thoughts so much more potent, especially if walking alone.

I felt a sense of joy on my walk today.

I haven't felt a sense of joy like that in a while. No, no, it's not a negative or depressing statement. As a matter of fact, it's quite positive. Joy is generally associated with happiness or exuberation. However, today, I felt a sense of joy that just felt like quiet peace. Something about the way the wind was swaying the leaves on the trees, the little salamanders crossing our path, and the breeze against my face. It was calming, and it felt serene.

I'm grateful to be here to experience these little pieces of art that the world bestows upon me in the form of joy.

I went on a walk this morning and began reflecting on the trees.

The Tree of Life analogy is an apt one: we begin as single seedlings of life, move on upward in a single line and then branch out in different patterns, all while solidifying our roots where we were raised. No matter what happens, that tree trunk always grew that way, and those branches had to grow that way, and those roots had to form that way. Even if you took the tree and you moved it to a different location, those facets of the tree were always meant to grow the exact way they did. When it gets resoiled and continues to grow, it will continue growing in the way it was meant to in that specific way in that specific point on earth. This analogy doesn't just work on us as individuals, but also on societies and indeed entire civilizations and species as a whole. We were all one once, in this primitive sort of way. We all grew together, in either direction, and we all ended up where we were meant to be.

Nietzsche wrote "It is only ideas gained from walking that have any worth." For the first time in my life today, I found this statement to be indisputable. The specific motion of the trees blowing gently in the wind, that puppy barking at passing cars, that way you gave a little hop over that stream left over from last night's rain made your walk today entirely different from the one you took yesterday. Your inner state, combined with the external stimulation of the outside world, makes your thoughts so much more potent, especially if walking alone.

I felt a sense of joy on my walk today.

I haven't felt a sense of joy like that in a while. No, no, it's not a negative or depressing statement. As a matter of fact, it's quite positive. Joy is generally associated with happiness or exuberation. However, today, I felt a sense of joy that just felt like quiet peace. Something about the way the wind was swaying the leaves on the trees, the little salamanders crossing our path, and the breeze against my face. It was calming, and it felt serene.

I'm grateful to be here to experience these little pieces of art that the world bestows upon me in the form of joy.