When one thinks of Hawaii, images of beaches come to mind first. The Big Island Hawaii is different and quite majestic in that it has several volcanoes, one being 14,000 feet tall.  It is called and celebrated in the name Mauna Kea.

We went to Mauna Kea to watch the sunset this week while a friend was visiting. The feeling of walking on clouds and gratitude was what came of it.

Mauna Kea and Walking on Clouds

The visit was one where unexpected connection came to mind. We traveled from our home to the top of the mountain, about an hour and a half trip by 4 wheel drive with our two dogs and our friend, who is originally from India. As I stood at the top I thought about what would bring these beings together and how we got here. We’d all come from very different places yet the grounding of the earth, at 14,000 feet and above the clouds was a shared experience.

There were moments where we all stood at the top and looked out in our own awe of the beauty and it felt as though we had each realized the vastness of our lives, the real beauty of the earth and the amazing feeling of actually being above the clouds. It was a time where we did not have to say it out loud but a feeling of gratitude for our mere existence was shared.

Nature and the Lesson from Dogs

I often times wish my dogs could tell me exactly what they are thinking. On this particular trip simply riding in the car with us one could tell was pure joy. I try to take those moments and apply them to the things I do. In this instance just simply to enjoy the ride with my life partner and our friend and the dogs.

Once on the mountain the connection to outdoors, breathing, running or moving is easy to see.  My Weimaraner is much like me in that she gets cold easily. She dealt with it by moving, checking out all that was around her and the connection to the earth. Movement is a natural course of action for a dog.

Why is it that we humans tend to become sedentary when the feeling of uncomfortable comes over us? Another lesson I have learned from the dogs.

• Move
• Breath
• Warm your body by taking in all of the surroundings, especially when in nature. Even if it’s just a walk around the block to replace a sudden feeling of anxiety the movement works.

Perspective

Somewhere in the hour and a half drive to the top we encountered cloud cover. I’m one to love the sun. Clouds make me feel not so happy. The perspective I gained from this particular trip once we broke through the clouds as we started for the summit was a matter of perspective.

The sun is here. It is shining on us. It may be covered by the clouds but it is still above shining in all it’s glory. Though it may be covered by the clouds if we dare to get out in it, we will soak it up. It may look different under the clouds, it is a matter of perspective. It is a matter of how we choose to look at it.

Yet another lesson from the dogs. Given the chance they will go out and play, or run or simply smell the outdoors whether the sun is clearly shining or not and the benefit of the oxygen, the movement and the time outside bring good in, stale out!  The excuse of clouds is not one to stop a dog from enjoying and the belief that there is sun anyway is the beauty of a dog’s attitude towards it.

Go outside today. What is your perspective? What does the movement, the breath, a plant, the smells, the sounds add to your connection to the earth do for you?  Can you soak up the sun from any perspective?

 Jt Clough lives on the Big Island, Hawaii, and practices health, happiness and natural remedies, while working as a Habits Coach for people looking to live healthier and happier lives.  She is a dog whisperer for our best friends; and studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication.  Her latest e-book is How to Swim through Your Fears and Come Out a Champion.