Ridge Trail

I hike every day living in Sedona but lately I've fallen in love with a new trail and have been trying to up my workout to three hours a day.  I run/hike with a stop at the creek. I was feeling chubby and disappointed with myself today for getting a bit out of shape after losing weight earlier this year. Instead of carrying the small backpack I usually take on longer hikes, today I had challenged myself to go light. I am always inspired by Peace Pilgrim, a woman who walked for 28 years with nothing but a comb, toothbrush and her mail. I couldn't go that light but today I was down to water, which I carried in my hand, car keys, cell phone and tinted lip balm. Going this light, I could run part of the way. My friend calls the kind of running I do fartlicking, because I run a little, then walk a little, then run again.

I started by jogging, then walked, then jogged and I saw some cool looking shade to stretch out in.. I leaned against a nice looking juniper tree when I noticed something shiny in the branches. At first I assumed it was something someone had found and hung up in the tree but was startled to find that the beautiful crystal key chain was actually put there for ME.

It was beautifully made with three hanging rows of crystals, and it said Take Me Home and  SPREAD KINDNESS. I was very touched. I was amazed that someone who didn't know me would go to the trouble to make this sweet and beautiful charm, a little piece of magic just for me. That they would make it and then take it into the forest where it would wait was astonishing. It was a kindness itself that they gave this to me. I thought about the instruction, for it was quite clear. I've walked for peace, I've pondered love and forgiveness and self love but I was being asked, implored, DIRECTED to spread kindness.

I was so touched and distracted I missed my trail completely, went the wrong way and ended up bushwhacking down a gravely hill in worn out tennis shoes.

I kept stopping to take out the charm, which had added so much to my hike and day. I wondered about the type of person who had done this, and thought she was doing good magic in a way, more than the many people here who claim to do so and charge a lot for it.

When I got home I went on the website and read more about what they are doing. I didn't see a picture of the people doing it, but I read about a couple more people that found them. I think the one I found was put out just yesterday. One person write that she left hers out for someone else.. that was fine for her, but for me I felt a deep connection was made and that I was truly instructed to TAKE IT HOME and SPREAD KINDNESS, which I will, of course, work on doing.

Tara Golden