I gazed at the mountains
standing tall and proud.
I couldn't believe my eyes.
They stood triumphantly,
with their peaks grazing the sky.
They were glorious
in all their wonder.
They were magnificent,
with their reddish streaks of color.
I gazed for so long,
I almost fell to my knees
to worship their beauty,
to worship our mother Gaia,
to thank her,
for her wondrous creations
she bestowed upon us
to give our world meaning.

You know that feeling
in the pit of your stomach
when something awful
is about to happen?
When your chest tightens,
and it feels like someone
is squeezing your heart
as hard as they can?
It's an awful feeling,
like a sixth sense
warning you
to beware,
be prepared.
Don't ignore that feeling,
remember it,
hold on to it,
and realize you have survived
this feeling a million times before,
and you will survive it again.
Even if your knees buckle,
and you fall to the floor,
you will get back up,
you will always rise.

It is empowering to see
other women besides me,
unfolding their wings,
holding the key
to unlocking their dreams,
and fulfilling their destiny.