Justified Power.

Justified Power.

Nature provides reminders of this power, constantly.

Reminders of the impossible made possible.

How is it that trees can not only grow but flourish when it seems that they have had to do so on nutrient restricted foundations such as boulders, rocky ground, and cracked sediment?

How is that moss can grow and provide ground cover even in the brutalist of winters?

It seems impossible but when I witness such a majestic view, I marvel at the mystery. The mystery of the buds growing out of the tree that is surrounded by stone and moss still green underneath the sheets of ice.

The waterfall.

She’s nature’s majestic mystery. In one natural occurrence, she encompasses numerous reminders. Reminders of power. Reminders of joy. Reminders of strength. Reminders of cleansing. Reminders of replenishment.

Reminders of who I am.

This past weekend, I was able to hike Cedar Creek Falls at Petit Jean State Park with a dear friend of mine. The hike was filled with constant reminders of who I am while also allowing me space to reflect on internal questions. You know. Those questions, that will probably never receive answer.

As the rivers rushed over the rocks near the path of the trail, and in anticipation of reaching the waterfall, I imagined the rolling waters cleansing my spirit. The sounds of the rushing waters penetrated my ears and traveled to the depths of my core and began to erode the mold and debris that had recently ravaged the deepest parts of who I am.

As I neared the waterfall, I could hear her power. I could feel her power beginning to rattle my core. My skin sprinkled with goosebumps as I approached her. In her power, my legs began to tremble. I found a boulder to settle on so that I could marvel at her beauty. Her power. Her strength. Her purpose.

As the waters crashed into the pond below, I closed my eyes so that I could hear her roar. As I closed my eyes, the sound began to fill every molecule in my being. I could feel my core begin to rumble and slowly begin to build courage to rediscover my subtle roar.

As I slowly opened my eyes, I had the deepest desires to get closer to her. My spirit craved to get closer to her power. I got up off the boulder and started finding

my way towards her. The closer that I got to her, the more my spirit began to swell. My deepest part of my core began to find its place back in the center of my mind. The sheer force of the water that she was belting out created such wind that it made my hair blow back and cool my skin in intimidation. Yet, the mist that started to dampen my hair and clothes was invigorating and inviting. So, I kept finding my way closer to her.

The noise that billowed out of her was deafening but powerful. It made me recognize my stance, so I honored her power. However, I wanted to know what I would feel if I got underneath her power. Although it was for a very short moment, I rested on a rock that was underneath her. In my rest, I was able look out to see her view. I wasn't able to stay long underneath her because the roar was so powerful it made my brain tingle. Yet during that short time, my power began to break through the rubble that had fallen on my core from trauma that had resurfaced over the past few months.

Justified power is real. Nature proclaims it. Power that results in destruction of human beings is real. Mankind seems to have perfected it.

The waterfall.

She reminded me of my power. She reminded me of my strength. She reminded of my curiosity. She reminded of my courage. She reminded of who I am.

My integrity. My dignity. My power.