Contentment

After a long hot summer in Arizona, the hope of any Phoenician in October is the experience of autumn. It might be the aroma of fallen leaves, the colors of the vibrant show of deciduous leaves, or the cool relief of sunrise over the horizon. Autumn brings eternal hope to the weary desert souls who crave respite from the blistery heat.

I took the annual pilgrimage to Flagstaff to photograph the aspen groves in the San Francisco Peaks. The air was fragrant with the aroma of sunbaked pines and freshly-fallen leaves. The warmth of the day held a warning of winter in the bite of the breeze. Hundreds of people were sojourning together to behold the change of seasons and experience relief from the unforgiving desert. Although I’m not a fan of hiking with crowds, the trail to the Inner Basin spread out the hikers with switchbacks and winding corners.

As I reached the top and found the Forest Service cabin at the Inner Basin, I accidentally stumbled across a girl who was peacefully perched on a doorstep of the cabin. She was fully in the moment, feeling the serenity of the wind in the trees and warmth of the sun’s rays. I was struck by her contentment to sit and write in her journal. There was no need to go further, see more, take more photos. She was just happy for the experience.

I felt a twinge of envy- I wish I had that capacity for contentment. That’s been a good area of reflection. Why am I not content? What makes a person content? When is enough just enough? Maybe this is another pandemic of America- the bleeding necessity for more.

I am inspired by this girl on the side of the cabin- just be in the moment and feel joy with what you have already.