My life had become a pilgrimage on blistered feet, stumbling ever deeper into the dark half-forgotten wilderness. With each passing week the path beneath my feet became narrower and more rock strewn, and the familiar signs and landmarks receded. Less people and bigger mountains with their sudden harsh changes in climate and weather, became the pattern. I came in this ever harsher environment, more reliant on myself and my inner resources, until I found myself here, on my knees, beneath the jagged peaks of the Black Cuillin. Poised at the precipice of a tumbling waterfall, I felt everything about to change. I found scale and perspective in my smallness amongst this landscape of giants. All my earthly worries poured away over the rocks with the falling water, and I lay back among the heather and the moss, feeling the small warm pulse of my life. It was enough, this small life of mine. It needed no embellishments, and with a surge of relief I let go of the burden of striving. Here in the shadow of harsh black giants, I had found my softness, and it filled me up. I was enough just as I am.
The reflection of our state of mind out into the world around us can be surprisingly powerful, colouring our views and feelings. In a closed state of mind we wear blinkers which narrow down our view. We become surprisingly certain about what is out there around us. When we feel more relaxed and open, we can discover unexpected delights even in a world we thought we knew. Equally the world around us can powerfully shift our state of mind. For me, getting out into the towering mountains puts my life into a comforting perspective. I delight in feeling small, and in some ways quite powerless, living on this wild and powerful planet. I realise my place as a small warm animal among the wide web of life and nature. It frees me, and improves my state of mind no end.
This photo was taken among the Fairy Pools of Glen Brittle, in the shadow of the Black Cuillin, on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
See more photographs reflecting states of mind at the WP weekly challenge.
breathofgreenair 
hiking through your site this morning . . . your words are as restorative as your images
just loving your work, my friend
Lovely to have you visit😆💕
The great healer – Mother Nature. beautifully described in your words.
She is a wonder for sure💕and I know you feel her magic😊😜
I cannot live without it.
Being among the beauty of mountains is calming and you have expressed it so well with words and photo
Delighted you know that feeling too😊
Just beautifully written. You took me on a journey of understanding .. Thank you 😄
Delighted to have you along on the journey Julie💕😊
We are small, warm pulses of life. I love how you describe that. We don’t need to move mountains, just let mountains move us.
Perfectly put Brenda💕😊
Very inspiring. Nature can work wonders.
She can indeed😊
Great post going under my skin, Seonaid. And according to all the lovely comments, you have moved us all deeply. Thank you! 🙂
It’s good to be moved like this, by aged giants of the natural world…..and always nice to share😊💕
Seonaid – can you bottle that moment of enlightenment for me and send it my way….:-)
If I could I would💕These moments of release are so good when they come😊
I love the way you’ve expressed so beautifully something I can really relate to, Seonaid. 🙂 I love to be dwarfed by my surroundings, and the wide open spaces.
It’s a really good feeling isn’t it Jo….finding a scale and perspective to our lives😊
On this roller coaster ride! 🙂 🙂 (my son was shunted from behind in his car on the way to work this morning- fortunately the car took the damage, not James)
Sorry to about James….driving is really such a dangerous occupation….but we tend to put that out of our minds😊 Great to hear he’s OK💕
An inspired piece of writing, Seonaid. I think I really need to get out into the impressive wonders of nature for a while and feel my spirits lift above the stress of daily life. Beautiful photo too. 🙂
It’s always a good move😆nature somehow has just what we need!
Agreed – feeling small and humble, yet believing that it is enough – what a great feeling!
It’s a good state to be in, and nature can help us find our place😊💕
David I just love your response, I’m smiling😊, because you reminded me that the timelessness of these huge landscapes is also part of the enchantment and release of being there. Knowing that in the span of 5,000 years I am just a little breath is also hugely freeing.
I am really fascinated with these ancient preserved bodies that we find….here in Scotland they sometimes emerge from the peat bogs….
The first thing to come into my mind as I read was Ötzi, the iceman, found somewhere along the border between Austria and Italy. Your words seemed to channel his thoughts as he walked. You expressed well what may have been his fears and, at the same time, the comfort he felt among his mountains. Then (silly me .. shades of undergraduate English class) the metaphor began to sink in and provided comfort TO ME. So, you see, your writing effortlessly spanned the 5000 years between Ötzi’s time and ours … showing us that human emotions haven’t changed much across the gulf. Nice, and very much enjoyed.
I can so much relate to this experience ! Hiking in nature and staying away from the noise in the city is so importante. I like the photo too – well done! i’m glad I found this post and i’m looking forward for following the blog and see more. Thanks for sharing!
Many thanks Steendal….I’m looking forward to getting to know you a little better😊 Nature offers us such perfect ways of balancing our inner worlds.
I love hiking in the mountains for the very reasons you expressed.
They are good medicine aren’t they Charlie😊💕
I can relate to so much in this post. Letting go of the burden of striving, finding solace in wild places. You have written of an experience many of us are having now I think.
Suzanne, thank you, and isn’t it wonderful to connect and realise that many of our struggles are universal in some way or other💕😊 For me, that release of being enough just as I am, is an ongoing inner dialogue…..I wish I could let go of striving for good….maybe the mountains can help✨😆✨
This one really touched me, to my root. My saying when something like this comes to me…”I resemble that!” Thanx, Seonaid, for sharing your life with us.
My pleasure Deanna, it’s always such a delight when writing really touches emotions within others😊Thank you for taking the time to let me know💕
Beautiful place..This must be a solace for you. Thank you for sharing your inspiring thoughts.
My pleasure, and yes it’s a very inspiring place….nature at her best😊
Beautifully written to accompany a memorable photo. I felt I was with you beneath those “jagged peaks” 🙂
Thanks Andrew, and your reply made me smile😊 It’s an intimate and yet impersonal space around those huge mountains…..a perfect mix of elements for me!
Seonaid, you beautifully stated your feelings and the resolution. I totally understand why your glorious countryside would bring you peace. Because of my husband’s illness, etc. sometimes the world feels like I have fallen into the black hole in outer space. Then I walk my waterfront, chat with people I run into, and then I can find the sun again. Letting go of my dreary thoughts is critical. You, my dear, are inspirational!
Gwynn, I always look forward to reading your response to my posts…you are so supportive and inspiring 💕😊 It can be so challenging when you have to live day to day with the restrictions of illness (our own or our families) and your waterfront walk sound like your perfect medicine for what might otherwise feel quite isolating…..isn’t Mother Nature just the best nurse✨😆✨
I can understand how you would find peace, love and self acceptance in that beautiful place Seonaid.
Very nicely summarised Gilly….mountains and moors are great for grounding me😊
Easy to understand having visited your beautiful country this past autumn. I featured a more peaceful Scottish scene in my response this week but agree wholeheartedly with your thoughts on the mountains.
I suspect that maintains almost anywhere would have the same effect on me Tina😊 You have a lovely collection of natures beauty in your post….including that Scottish scene. Was it East Lothian or up in Morayshire? 💕
Mother Nature feeds our soul again. She is a skilled practitioner. 🙂
She really is Judy😊
Having once lived in the mountains I know how you feel. Well said.
They can be places of great teaching and learning…..good for the mind and the soul I think😊