Sunrise in Palm Springs
Middle age sucks! I am jealous of young folks that crash through life with abandon and older folks that are content. While I have experienced both, hitting the mid-forties can play havoc with your mind. Consequently, I periodically need time to re, re, re, treat, create, charge.
The desert is where wise men and women would travel in attempt to connect with their spiritual being. Out in the desert, even in ancient times, you find a place devoid of the distractions of life: entertainment, business, family and such. Out in the desert you are truly alone with your thoughts and you can sift through the grains of emotion. In the desert you can truly get a sense that it is just you, alone, on a big rock. Life is transient and someday you will die.
As much as I would like to really experience life as a hermit, for a short period, that is not going to happen. So I come to the desert to hike by myself to create an illusion than it is just me and God. Even a simple hike can present the scenarios of life or death. If I die today on this path…Yes, life will still go on.
Of course my purpose is not to die. The purpose is to make sure that I am living up to my calling. If I am not contributing in some form or fashion to helping people and our community become better and stronger, Am I living my full potential? Do I need some course corrections?
Perhaps using Palm Springs as a base to visit the desert is not the best idea. But it does provide juxtaposition: beautifully superficial surroundings and architecture next door to wilderness. Worlds collide.