The hubby and I took a little vacation to Cali this week. Our first stop was Santa Barbara, and then on to Rancho Mirage. Yesterday we took a three and a half hour hike in Joshua Tree National Park. Being that I often feel inspired while exercising, my mind really got going. Unfortunately, no one has yet invented a way to record my thoughts as they come, so I will do my best to relay what at that time seemed like inspiration that I just had to share!
During a jog the previous day in Santa Barbara, I felt compelled to keep running despite the fact that I’m not an avid runner. During our hike I also just wanted to keep going a little farther. So, I started thinking about what it is exactly that drives me to keep going even when things get tough. As I thought about my answer, I realized it’s a true metaphor for everything in life.
I think, therefore I can. What I mean is, as I paid attention to my thoughts, it was clear as always, that if I think I can, then I can. In addition, if I think thoughts that feel good, it is easy to push myself. I noticed my curiosity of what was to come, kept me going on my run and my hike. Noticing the beautiful scenery surrounding me, kept me going. Acknowledging that my knee, which I had ACL and meniscus surgery on years ago, didn’t hurt, kept me going. These thoughts kept me going because they made me feel good.
Adults often say to children, “You can do anything you set your mind to.” In most cases this is true, and while we often hear ourselves saying it, how often do we actually believe it ourselves?
Once we hit the halfway point of the hike, and started heading back, things got a bit challenging for me. It took a while for me to realize what was going on though. Of course I was feeling fatigued, and we had been battling the terrain for quite some time at that point, so I told myself it was that. Then it dawned on me. Even though those things were true, I also noticed that once we hit the halfway point, my thinking had completely changed.
I caught myself thinking things like, “The end of the trail is so far,” and “We still have an hour and a half to go.” These thoughts made me feel annoyed and anxious. I also noticed that I was no longer looking around and loving the nature that was surrounding me. I was so consumed in my thoughts about how I wished we were done, and how hard it had gotten, that I completely forgot I was in an incredibly beautiful place unlike anywhere I had ever been before, and how lucky I was that my body is strong and healthy enough to do things like this.
Once I realized it was my thinking that was making me cranky, I consciously made an effort to change my thoughts. I started looking around again and noticed how beautiful the mountains and rock formations were. I paid attention to how fresh the air was to breathe, and how cool and amazing the wind felt. I told myself I was strong. I felt grateful for being able to take a vacation. I lightened the conversations with the hubby, and we laughed and shared. The hike felt fun and easier at that point, and before we knew it, we were back.
Another observation I made during the hike, was when there was a downhill, if I resisted it, it put a lot of strain on my knees. When I surrendered to the hill, let go, and let my body move quickly (and even jog at times), it was easier on my legs. It’s this kind of ability to allow in life, rather than resist, that makes life flow more easily, with less pain.
Life is like my experience hiking. When you are faced with a challenge, do you look at it with curiosity, and excitement for the possibilities of what’s to come, or do you get caught up in thoughts that hold you back or make you feel cranky? You have the opportunity to look around you and appreciate. You can choose to live in a state of gratitude of all of the beauty in your life, even when things get tough. It’s up to you to decide whether you’d rather let life flow, or create pain with resistance.
I choose ease. I choose gratitude. I choose believing in myself to push on even when things feel difficult. I choose to experience life with curiosity and excitement.
If you want to feel more joy, I invite you to decide to do the same. When faced with a challenge, all you have to do is just start paying attention to all of the beauty surrounding you. Focus on putting one foot in front of the other, rather than allowing yourself to feel overwhelmed by the long journey ahead. There’s a whole lot to feel good about, if you just open your eyes and heart to it. Life doesn’t have to be so hard!
Happy day everyone!!
