I was out in Maine a few weeks ago with some of my best friends.
We're on a mission to visit (and hike in) a different National Park every year.
This year was Acadia National Park.
We chose a couple paths that were highly recommended by our friends on the internet.
All of us have hiked before, some hundreds of times.
But I don't think any of us were prepared for these paths.
The hike started out as we expected, smooth in spots, but with rocks scattered across the path, forcing us to carefully watch our step.
We were used to that. And the scenery was beautiful.
But as we continued to climb, the rocks started to overtake the path.
Until there was really no path at all. Just rocks we had to navigate.
Some several feet tall, so we had to hoist ourselves up.
Some loose beneath our feet.
Some with sharp edges, and crevices we had to be careful not to get our feet stuck in.
The hike had become a climb. And a scary one at that.
The view from the top was breathtaking, though. It was definitely worth it.
We went down a different path than we came up.
And that one was worse!
But we were committed at that point.
Scared, but resolved to make it to the bottom.
There were times when we went down on our butts just because it felt safer.
At some point, probably about half way down, we attempted to come up with a variation of the song, "I Wanna Rock," changing the lyrics to "No More Rocks!"
We may have inserted a curse-word or two.
I'm sure the other hikers thought that was hilarious.
When we made it to the bottom, I think we all literally sighed with relief.
Looking back on that hike, it makes me think about our paths in life.
How the ones we choose can be unexpectedly rocky.
Hikes that we think will be easy end up becoming a harrowing climb.
Obstacles show up in our path that we have to navigate.
One wrong step can have catastrophic consequences.
When the hike becomes a climb, it can be pretty scary.
I'll share with you a little advice that helped me on that day, and many other days in my life:
Stay alert.
Keep your eyes on the ground beneath you.
Don't forget to breathe.
Focus on only the next step.
And then the next. And the next.
Eventually you'll make it to the end of that climb.
Tired and sweaty, but hopefully in one piece.
Maybe singing a ridiculous song.
Proud of yourself for surviving.
Grateful to be alive.
The next time you choose a path that ends up being unexpectedly challenging, hopefully you'll remember how you made it through this one.
Because you are stronger than you think.
And those rocks in your path?
They're not going to take you down.
They're just there for you to step on. To help you get where you're going.
Or, sometimes....to slide down on your butt!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Leave a comment and tell me how my post spoke to you today.
For a copy of one of my books, check out my author page on Amazon!
Comments