Embracing the Wild: A Journey of Self-Discovery in Nature's Classroom
There is something about sitting in a pocket of rock formed by the elements wondering if an ancient also found shelter in this very spot. There is a profoundness to feeling the ruggedness of the wilderness scraping my knees as I climb jagged rocks formed by upheaval or volcano, and checking each handhold for hazards before grasping it to lift or steady myself. The irony that down is easier is not lost on me because it can be terrifying when I am inching my way over boulders smoothed by wind and rain to the polished slickness of ice.
I love this! I mean, I really dig it. The older I get, the more extreme it is, the harder it is, and the more I love it because each feat teaches me a new lesson. I don't know if everyone is like this; I suspect they are. Or should I say, I hope they are because then I can rest in believing I'm not alone or a total lunatic. The more difficult the better. Why? It's where I grow the most. It's where the elements of life work on eroding and shaping me.
I say it all the time, I thought I'd hit 50 and magically "arrive." By that, I mean I wouldn't say stupid things anymore, put my foot in my mouth, unintentionally hurt others, still be fighting bad habits, or filtering through my thoughts and beliefs. I thought I would just 'be' and live happily ever after.
But that didn't happen; my humanness remains (damn it 😂). I'm not as awkward as I was as a teenager (most of the time, anyways), but the fallible me is still residing within (just ask my family). I do work to fool people sometimes and act as if I have my shit together, by some standards I guess I do. But since standards are defined by imperfect people, I live by the rule of not measuring to a crooked stick, embrace my imperfection but keep working on it.
I need these mountains, storms, and the desert. They remind me I'm alive and blessed to be a part of this vast universe momentarily. This crazy and violent creation shapes me. The evidence of our ancestors reminds me to be courageous. Sometimes, as I hike or work and experience it, time stands still for a moment of self-discovery. The awesomeness is strengthening but will also tear and uproot unhealthy debris that litters my mind and soul, then filter it with a flash flood through the rocks that have collected in the washes and ravines, leaving my head a little clearer like the water that pools at the bottom.
As I ponder the thoughts, looking back up the wash and seeing the debris of storms, it sends a symbolic message to me: you can go back up and collect what's lodged amongst the stones or mourn it and move on. I haven't always chosen the latter, but I am more often, and it feels good to travel lighter. Cheers to growth, nature's cleansing, and transformation.
To read more change this author embraced check out her book, "Idled Too Long: A Never Too Late to Re-Engage Health and RVing Adventure." It's your guide to a leaner, healthier, and stronger life.
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