Mountain Medicine
Habibi. Shalom. Hello!
For a few weeks, months now, I have been itching to go the mountains. This time of year, no matter where you are the holidays became busier, more stressful and if you are alone, it becomes increasingly more difficult to feel good. Lately, I have been focusing more on my mental health, maybe the sun helps, maybe I am settling into my life here in Colorado. Whatever it is, it feels really good and I couldn't be happier or more excited to share this post with you. Maybe, it will get me the spark to re-start my blog.About a week ago, my friend Leah and I talked about going hiking. She reached out to me and expressed that her, her bf and two men from Africa were maybe going to join us.Going into this, I wasn't too sure what it would be like or if I'd even go. After all, I went to bed around 230 and woke up around 700. Needless to say, I was feeling tired, and just wanted to lay in bed all day. I mean who doesn't?In this life. We all have a choice. Opportunity really is not a lengthy visitor and we must take every opportunity we get.On the weekend. I had a choice. I had an opportunity. Like many of us do. I could stay in bed, watching shows and lounging around, nursing my hangover (OR) I could go out in nature, I could meet new people and I could get some free therapy in the mountain air. I knew if I chose the first option, I would regret it. I usually do. I chose to suck it up, to commit. These days, it is so easy to be a non-committal person.On FB, we now have the option of saying "Interested, Going, Not going or Not Interested. In a world where we have so many options of what to do. Who to see. Who to date. What to eat. What to wear. What kind of job we want. I like so many of us, are guilty of this, it's not our faults individually, its the culture that we have grown up in. But guess what, we all have a CHOICE. It's Up to US!Committing to YES:700 AM Alarm Goes Off705 Snooze710ish Finally get up730-800 Rush to get my ISH together815-Picked up to go hiking to Rocky Mountain National Park815-1030 We drive to the Rockies1030-430 PMThe morning air is crisp, the sun is shining and we're making our way to the Rockies. We stop at Peet's Coffee. We have some good sweets (Croissants, Blueberry Muffin) coffee and tea. Wanting to nap but also beyond ready to get out and hike. We listen to some jams, talk and learn a little about each other.Some Background: Leah and Jonathan are together and pretty adorable! I recently became friends with Leah through the Jewish community and I know Jonathan from it as well. Before this day, I didn't know them super well but after I feel a lot closer to knowing who they are. Like how they have traveled and know Spanish and are full of energy and light.Jonathan works at Anschutz Medical Center and became connected with Joshua and Aladdin, two men from Africa. Joshua has been here for a few weeks, he is a Nurse Practitioner and is here on a work visa to learn as much as he can to bring back with him to Cameroon. He tells me about the wars over there, all the violence happening. He tells me he will send me videos so I can learn more. He says he wants to stay in the US and is trying to make that happen. Aladdin (Alaaeddin M. Elzubeir, PhD) is here for a whole year, he is a Fullbright Scholar and his focus is Pediatric Hematolgic Genetic Disorders. He loves children and is very knowledgeable about the body. He is married and he shows us pictures of the Blue Nile River, truly gorgeous.I am told these are not very close in proximity and they did not know each other before coming to Colorado. I am from Michigan. Leah is from Colorado Springs and Jonathan is from Florida. So none of us are from the same place but it felt like we were, at that exact moment. Pretty cool!
Google Earth Map of Aladdin's village: The brown part is the Blue Nile River
Joshua is Christian and follows Christianity. Aladdin (Yes, his name is Aladdin, pronounced Aladdin, is Muslim and practices Islam. Leah, Jon and myself follow the Jewish faith. Even if we may pray to a different G-d or higher being or whatever it is we believe in.I like to think that we all share a lot in common, we all are seeking connection, belonging and adventure. I mean aren't we all?
Left to Right: Jonathan, Leah, Aladdin, Me, JoshuaThe day:It was pretty chilly. We stopped at Beaver Creek Visitor Center. We were told to go check out Cubs Lake Trail. After turning around a few times to find the road to take us there, we made it. We bundled up, we layered up and we went up into the mountains. Jonathan brought some extra clothing for our two new friends: Joshua and Aladdin to wear. After all, they have never EVER seen SNOW in their lives. Or worn a scarf before!
Joshua and Aladdin Taking our first steps as a group was thrilling. The hike up to the lake was gorgeous. When we approached the lake, it was partly covered in ice. Our wonderful hosts: Leah and Jon prepared a scrumptious picnic: We had some delicious black and spicy Good Earth tea, apples and peanut butter, black beans with garlic/chilis, sandwiches with turkey, celery, tomatoes and taco bell sauce YUM! We prayed with each other, we laughed and we shared this beautiful day. It didn't matter what race, what culture we were. All that mattered was the CONNECTION we created on that special, magnificent day.
The weather was absolutely perfect. The sun was sunny as ever. The sky was bluer-than blue. The wind has a nice hush. The exchanges we had were exhilarating, fresh, new, and really truly magical. We prayed. We ate. We learned. We connected. We laughed. We meditated. We cried. We belonged. We became اصدقاء : Asdigaa: friends. and we saw freaking moose and carcasses. I mean how much better, can it get?!We spent hours in the Rockies. Time went by slow but yet so fast at the same time.[gallery ids="87,88" type="rectangular"]We had an all American meal at good ol Wendy's. The fries, the siracha sauce, the chicken, the cocoa-cola pop, it all was so refreshing and tasted so good.CONNECTION.We are human beings. We are programmed to gravitate towards one another. We gravitate to what and who is familiar. For me, I have always enjoyed meeting perfect strangers. I find it a kind of rush, a kind of high, a thrill. Maybe, that's why I became a Social Worker, why I chose this path (OR) how it chose me. Being out in Colorado, in wide open spaces, I am realizing more that I am happiest when I am out in nature. Being surrounded around trees. It gives me comfort. It gives me hope.So I ask you how will you say YES? What is holding you back from experiencing moments like this and how can we create more of these?Words from Aladdin that sum up this moment:The fairy tale will begin when the snow falls ... Heartbeats increase..You look up, and your face will be falling and immediately melting snowflakes.!!You will smile and rejoice, because it is in winter you want to believe in miracles.!It is at this time of year that you make a wish for the new year and hope that the fairy tale will begin right now , with you guys.Love you all❤ "Aladdin"I just keep smiling all the time when I remember those moments I spent with you guys.😊It's truly moments like this that take your breath away.
#Blessed #MountainMedicineblessings مُبارك : mubarkpeace : السّلام : assalam&To many more adventures and saying YES!
Rocky Mountain High- John Denver