A Reader on a Journey: “Wilderness Essays” by John Muir

For my 2019 writing challenge and in preparation for the Pacific Crest Trail in 2020, I am spending the entire year reading and writing about books focused on a journey. For my fourth book, I dove into “Wild by Nature” by Sarah Marquis.

Nature and Being in the Moment

I am guilty. I am guilty of not being in the moment. On countless occasions, I’ve arrived at the ridgeline on a trail, reached for my cellphone in my pocket, and/or my camera in my bag all in an effort to capture the sweeping vista before me. Instead of being in the moment, I stole it for later; one more thing I get to brag about when I come back to reality. After reading this book, this is a habit I desperately want to break. Instead, I want the power of the moment to wash over me in a realization of the luck I possess to be before such beauty. After that feeling is given its proper due, I can capture it, but never before.

Our Power

I’ve heard it said, “That if only we had the faith of a mustard seed, then we could move mountains.” While I am unsure about the power of faith, I know we have damaged the air, sea, waterways, and land with our power. A force like climate change will create even more chaos in our eco-system. Within us, is the power to destroy and the power to create. It is my solemn hope that we…