Joyous Humility

Simultaneously on top of the world and humbled


We set off on our third hike in a row in the Santa Fe Mountains, at the ski area. We believe this hike and strenuous climb is the highlight of the current trip. Then again, that’s not important. We gained 2,300 feet over 3.5 miles, one-way. Most of the trail was a steady gain except for a couple of very steep sections. The interesting part is that we overlooked Nambe Lake from an elevation 1,000 feet above or at nearly 13,000 feet. If you remember, we sent pictures on Wednesday with Jen and me at lake level. I remember looking up from the water surface and wondering about the mountains above. Our wonderings were satisfied today.


Unfortunately, a thunderstorm struck when we reached the summit, forcing us to limit our stay. Lightning flashed directly above and our editor, as courageous as she is, wisely bolted. We now have an editor without a computer and red pen. For the latter, we are thankful.


When we stood at the summit and looked out into the world, we were dumbstruck. It was an awesome sight that made us feel very small and, sad to say, insignificant. It is amazing to be confronted with a situation that takes the breath away because of its beauty and magnitude while also leaving one as humble as a ‘shul mouse’. We write often about the beauty we see in Hashem’s world because it is a fact. Whenever one feels important about oneself, it might be a good idea to climb to the top of the world and change one’s perspective…a little. (Perhaps that’s why I need to do this that often.) In the one photograph attached, I literally felt that I was standing on top of the world. It was not so much an issue of height but rather the position.
Editor begins descent as storm erupts

We love the order, beauty, and the regeneration of nature’s cycle—we glimpse a tiny bit of the Architect’s ways. It’s never untidy, even when the trees lie across the paths, the grass is not cut or the flowers run wild. It is very attractive, always, and seems so…natural.
Trail viewed from side

We feel fortunate that we are seeing these miracles daily—it gives us a different perspective of the world, a vision of things to come. B’H.
Thank you.