One of my favorite activities is hiking. There are a lot of hills near where I live, and I just love climbing them. The world looks different from the top of those hills.
It takes about 30-45 minutes to reach the top. During this time, I just walk and look around and listen to the sounds of nature. I don't like listening to music while hiking, and I always go alone. For me, this activity is also a practice of mindfulness.
I try to let go of everything while taking each step toward the top. I let my mind wander around. It's one of the most peaceful activities which helps you cope with the pressure of the modern world.
I've spent a lot of time watching sunrise & sunset, rain & snow, Summer & Winter, and Spring & Fall. Observing the passage of time was really helpful for me to learn about the true reality we live in, about the fact that life goes on whether we get involved in it or not, and we have the power to get involved in it and leave our footprints.
The view of the city has always been fascinating for me. I'm an introverted person. I don't have much interest in going to crowded places like inside the city, which is full of people and cars and noises. Everyone seems to be in a rush, everybody is trying to get something, but on top of these hills, it's another story.
I look down at the city, far away from me, and I think: What else could a human being possibly want, more than this peace.