Melissa Briggs, 16, attends Mountain View High School.

Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Finance and Accounting
Charles E. Gillman Company
Accounting Specialist Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps

Everyone has an activity or place in which they thrive. This is sometimes referred to as a "Walden."

"I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house which I had built myself, on the shore of Walden Pond, in Concord, Massachusetts, and earned my living by the labor of my hands only. I lived there two years and two months, At present I am a sojourner in civilized life again," wrote Henry David Thoreau in 1845.

It's a bit intimidating to stay in solitude this way for so long, but sometimes it's helpful. My personal version of Walden is an activity during which I am able to release creativity more than any other time or place. I am also able to get my thoughts clearer and have real peace in my mind.

My Walden is hiking in solitude because that is when I am truly at peace, able to focus and my creative spirit flows.

When I go hiking, I get so much artistic inspiration. Sometimes, I get an urge to take photos of the landscape. Other times, I think up lyrics, or sometimes, if I'm lucky, poetry will just come from my mind.

I can also usually come up with an idea for a drawing or painting of some kind. I'm just able to come up with good ideas for artistic things I'm interested in more than usual. I am able to think of ways to express my feelings that I can't usually come up with during my day-to-day routine.

Hiking really helps my mind relax because I can do something I love and am able to let my thoughts just flow about everything. While hiking, I have realized many of my life philosophies and beliefs. Things are just so much more apparent when I can think about it while hiking.

I really enjoy hiking because during regular daily life I have a hard time deciding what I think or feel about a lot of important things. Sometimes, when I'm out on a hike, I just empty my mind and focus on moving and that also really helps me relax and allows creativity. It's really rejuvenating and helpful for stress.

The only thing I find difficult about getting to my Walden is living in the suburbs. The only hiking near me is the large hill in my neighborhood. It's difficult to get out to a real trail and actually do multiple-mile hiking. This, of course, makes my Walden all the more precious. For the simple fact that my Walden isn't very accessible, I cherish it more, and try harder to really enjoy it when I have the chance.

Waldens are something personal that helps us feel really good about ourselves or feel focused, relaxed or refreshed. Waldens can even be a place where we are inspired to do things, make things or fix things.

My Walden is hiking, no doubt. Everyone needs to realize just what their Walden is, because when we do, it's so much easier to go to that feeling more often.

We could all use more time in our personal Waldens.