In the hills behind my house, there is a beautiful park with hiking trails. I seldom go there, but after spending so many weekends at the computer writing proposals for work, today these hills were calling out for me to come outside and play.

In the car on the way to the park, I was feeling so good about doing something out of the ordinary, and I realized how much I needed a break. A breather from traffic, work, deadlines, talk radio, and cell phone signals. It would be nice to have some peace and quiet where I could slow down a little and think. Lately, everyday demands had started to get a bit out of hand, so a recharging of the old batteries was in order.

Embracing the opportunity, I took a deep breath and started on the trail that led away from the parking lot and past the picnic tables. As the trail led me higher and higher, I began to focus on the new sights, sounds and scents around me. How exhilarating to hear the sound of the wind blowing through the trees, to smell the sensual fragrance of eucalyptus, and to hear the songs of the birds. Still connected to the city, it was a time when one could even appreciate the sights and sounds of commercial jets flying overhead in their landing approach to LAX.

I kept climbing, ascending even higher. Time seemed to stand still as I wandered and reveled in the moment. I wanted to climb all the way to the top. I wanted to climb so high that if I looked to the west I could see the skyline of Los Angeles, and if I looked to the south, I might be able to see the ocean.

Most of all, I wanted to climb so high that I would discover whatever spiritual epiphany I was searching for.

My thoughts turned to rattlesnakes. Warning signs were posted, and on a sunny and warm day like today, snakes could possibly come out of their dry brush hiding place. Should I be afraid? It was then I realized that encountering a snake would surely not be the worst thing in my life; I have dealt with so much more than that. Suddenly I felt more courageous and strong.

Stopping to catch a breath in the shade under a huge eucalyptus tree that must have been standing for decades, I studied and touched the etchings made by lovers on its bark. Hearts, arrows and initials were carved in several places by couples desiring to record their proclamation of love for future generations. I wondered if perhaps they carved these initials many years ago as teenagers. Being the hopeless romantic, I pictured them today as elderly couples still madly in love.

I thought of my own loves in my life; loves who were lost, the love who could do no wrong, and the love who may still be waiting.

Forging higher, I came to another summit. The awareness of total and complete solitude was mesmerizing. It felt like I was on top of my world.

I let go of the inhibitions you would normally have in public and reached up toward the sun and the sky with a stretch that could have catapulted me straight up to the heavens. I whispered a prayer to God and felt the comfort and joy in how He sometimes nudges us in one direction or another. We don't always know it at the time, but I believe if we keep our hearts open and sensitive to His guidance, somehow everything will turn out alright.

These thoughts of love, spirituality and nature were still whirling away in my head when I turned to leave my place on the hill. As I headed down, I suddenly slipped on the soft dirt and skidded down several feet of the steep embankment that I just climbed up.

Now what am I going to do? My euphoric feeling of solitude quickly changed to panic in the wilderness. What kind of nudge from God was this?

A quick body-check revealed no injuries - just what is sure to be a bruise on the behind and few sore muscles. Not to mention the bruise to the ego. Just as I was feeling so together! Perhaps one of God's reminders that one cannot always be in control, which is a tough pill to swallow when one sometimes tends to be a control freak.

I made my way (carefully) down the rest of the summit, past the tree with the lovers' carvings, past the rattlesnake warning signs, past the picnic tables, toward the parking lot. All the while, feeling how blessed I am to be able to let go and feel the depth of wonder, emotion, love, life, and spirituality. Even though sometimes there are no warning signs, and even though sometimes it hurts.

The view of the L.A. skyline and the Pacific Ocean will have to wait for my next hike, which will be very soon.