Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. I tend to be a fairly positive person, and when I am faced with any degree of drama or negativity, I tend to step back and avoid it at all costs. Needless to say, it doesn’t take much to push me away. This week, I had an unfortunate run-in with a very negative person. I’ll leave it there; for the details of the encounter are not what matter. What matters is what I learned and that it somewhat compelled me to make time for one of the things I love most…

Naturally, I packed my bag and headed out. Yes, in the snow. From the moment I put my snow shoes on and took in the view, I was at ease and myself once again. Everything around me heightened my senses. The world was perfectly white and seemed so simple. I like simple. I know I’ve said it before, but I truly did feel like I had just walked inside a postcard. I felt liberated, rejuvenated and inspired. I love those little moments in life. I don’t know what I would do without them.

I was a bit distracted over my negative encounter, I can’t even remember the names of the trails I hiked. I didn’t hike very long either. What I do recall, however, are the visions I saw; how silent and peaceful everything looked and felt. It was like an irresistible gravitational pull. The trails were narrow and the snow on the ground glistened like fairy dust inside a snow globe. I chuckled at myself as I held my arms open and allowed the flurries to kiss my face. It was my way of welcoming the tranquility I was experiencing.

I kept crouching down, trying to get closer to the snow. At hindsight, I realized that crouching down in hopes of connecting more with the snow, didn’t only change my visual perspective, it completely changed my mental perspective as well. It forced me look differently at my negative encounter. Once I changed my viewpoint on the situation, it reminded me of two things: first, of the person I don’t want to be. Second, it reminded me of why I tend to gravitate more towards nature than to people.

Have you hiked in the snow? It’s invigorating. I recommend it. Try it at least once. Don’t own snow shoes? It costs very little to rent a pair. So, go! Get your shoes, find some snow and discover a different sense of serenity.

(Originally published in the November 7, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)