Lessons from the trail
Life is like a walk in the mountains.
I hesitate to write this one, because it feels rather corny. But yesterday, on the trail, I felt a strong desire to put down some of these thoughts, so I will honor that version of me with a bit of intention from this version.
If you get tired, try slowing down.
If you get tired, and start thinking you shouldn’t be so tired, or that you’ll never get to where you’re going if you’re this tired now, or that you’re getting old, or fat, or if you went to the gym more and worked harder there you wouldn’t be so tired right now … try slowing down.
Physical fatigue plus mental torture equals suffering. Actually, just mental torture equals suffering. Physical fatigue makes perfect sense if you happen to be walking up a mountain.
Sometimes you’re going up, sometimes you’re going down. You’re always on the path.
If you focus too much on the viewpoint you’re headed for, you’ll miss the forest on the way.
Your presence has an effect on your surroundings, so every now and then it’s a good idea to stop and sit quietly long enough to hear what life outside your head actually sounds like.
If you start out to follow a particular path to a particular destination, and you realize along the way you are no longer on that particular path, you have some options. You can go back and look for the original path, you can beat yourself up for losing it, or you can say “I wonder where this path goes.”
The difference between being lost and exploring is just a matter of perspective.
There’s no bad weather, just inadequate clothing.
Being alone has its advantages. So does being with someone else. In either case, it’s a good idea to let somebody know where you plan to go and when you plan to be back. Shit happens out there.
Walking uphill through a forest with no “views” is also known as making progress. Sometimes we don’t recognize the progress untill we get a view. But it’s good to remember that we’re always making progress.
There is more going on in about a 10-foot section of a mountain stream than you will ever be able to comprehend. Check it out sometime.
It is always a good idea to slow down, focus on your breath, and just take it one step at a time.
Stop occasionally and ask yourself, “What if right here was my destination for the day? What if this right here was exactly what I had come to see?” Would you be okay with that? If not, why not? Why the attachment to that other place?
Take a moment during each hike to contemplate that for all you know, this could be your very last hike ever. Really think about that. See what effect it has on you and your hike.
They say that when bad weather hits a herd of buffalo, they turn and walk right into it. Apparently they have figured out that the fastest trip to the other side of a storm is right through it.
If you’re going through hell, keep going.