Try a Little Tenderness

Try a Little Tenderness
            The world can be a harsh place. Life deals all of us nasty blows. No matter how nice we are. No matter how innocent. A simple twist of fate can make life difficult, undeserving of pain though we may be.
            And there is the darker side. When people intentionally inflict pain and suffering on others. We can’t always block those instances. At least not directly or right away.
            What we can do is choose to be kind. Choose to be understanding. Choose to be supportive.
            Standing up in the face of meanness is a separate topic. I’m thinking today about the spirit in which we ourselves initiate actions toward others.
            In our own time, in our own place, we can be the ones who choose to offer kindness.
            It’s hard to find a more natural image of tenderness than a mother in the animal world feeding and protecting her young, like this Tule elk mom and her calf in the Tule Elk Reserve in Point Reyes.
            This week’s Hike Notes lead us to Tomales Point – Point Reyes. Starting at Pierce Point Ranch in the northern part of Point Reyes National Seashore, this out-and-back hike leads through herds of elk dotting the bluffs overlooking the Pacific. (Tule elk photo courtesy of the steadier hand of our intrepid hiking guide for close up shots that day.)
            Please feel free to share. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photos!
            The list of hikes is getting long! Please check the Quick View Hike List or scroll down the main Hikes page to see the current list of hike notes.
New this week:
Hike Notes 19: Tomales Point – Point Reyes