When I was in my teens I did a lot of hiking and camping. Through my grandparent’s church group, I was able to hike parts of the Appalachian Trail in the Southeast region. It was a great experience which helped me to meditate. There were no Nintendos, no GPS, and certainly no cell phones. The idea behind these hikes was to teach appreciation for the journey rather than longing for the destination. Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely a slice of paradise when finishing a 10+ mile hike, breaking for camp, and jumping into a nearby stream. The point is to enjoy and appreciate the journey, allowing your feet to carry you over the mountains and through the valleys while expunging your worries and “what if’s”.
After many years off the trail, I have recently picked up hiking again and I couldn’t be more thrilled. My (almost) daily mini-journeys have been nothing but positive and therapeutic. I’ve been rummaging through my old hiking/camping gear and gathering a decent frankenstein package of goodies to hit the trails again. My mom gave me some of her stuff as well and I found a fantastic Olicamp backpacking stove that still works like a charm. Re-kindled and reflecting, I’m excited for these new adventures while making sure to always put one foot in front of the other.
below:
“Leaf Explosion”
photograph