As the leaves change and the crisp air signals the approach of November 7th, our nation’s Election Day, there’s a parallel that emerges between the serenity of backpacking and the civic hustle of voting. It’s found in the quiet decision-making moments on the trail, much like the contemplation behind a voting booth curtain.
Consider Jenna, a seasoned hiker and advocate for the great outdoors. This year, as election fervor ramped up, she found solace in the tranquil trails. For Jenna, every hike was a journey, not unlike the process of democracy. Each path offered choices, each turn, a vote for the direction she wished to proceed.
On one of her early morning sojourns, with the dew still fresh on the pine needles, Jenna contemplated the weight of her choices, both on the trail and in the ballot box. The trail markers before her were guideposts, just as the propositions and candidate names would be a week hence.
Jenna’s pre-election hike was more than a physical activity; it was her way of clearing her mind to focus on the decisions that would shape her community’s landscape. As she traversed a particularly challenging switchback, she thought of the obstacles and the strides her country had overcome and still faced.
As Election Day nears, let’s take a lesson from Jenna and the countless others who find clarity in nature. Let’s approach our civic duty with the same mindfulness with which we select our trails, knowing that the paths we choose today will shape the vistas of tomorrow.
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