Hollie Reid Experience #2

I have walked the Nolan Trail many times. It has provided me with many things during the course of my attendance of Christopher Newport University: understanding, reassurance, comfort, and an escape. One of the biggest realizations I have had on the trail is the difference between being forced to do something and doing it on your own. When I have experienced the Nolan Trail when required to, such as I have promised my friend I will run it with them, or having a class meet there, it ruins the naturalness of the trail. However, when I just happen to go walk the trail on a whim, it never fails to amaze me with its beauty.

The most fantastical time that I walked the Nolan Trail was about a month ago with my boyfriend, my roommate, and her boyfriend. All of us were stressed out, and had recently been in arguments. It was a beautiful day, so we decided to go for a walk and ended up at the Nolan Trail. About 15 minutes into the trek, the air was already less tense. Simply being surrounded by nature, the leaves changing colors on the trees, the brisk air, the sounds of animals scurrying around, had put us at ease. We came to the lookout over the water right as the sun began to set. We paused there for a few moments to take in the beauty of the changing colors of the sky. We then quickly set off for Lion's Gate Bridge, in hopes to reach it before the sun sank beneath the horizon. We got there just as the sunset reached its glory. We climbed down to the beach and watched in silent awe for the last few seconds of the sun's visit to this part of the earth. I think that in those seconds, the four of us were reminded that there will indefinitely be another sunrise, another sunset, another day to experience, another night to recharge for all that is ahead of us. Chora and kairos were in unison that evening, resulting in a speech from the sun guiding us towards a reassurance that every day was unique and should be dealt with one moment at a time. This left us calmed and comforted from our prior state of stress.

Essentially what I have figured out is that I appreciate nature so much more when I'm stressed out. It has a calming effect on me.