So where do I start? One week in and all the days and miles are starting to melt together as if my mind is a big mixing pot of emotional hiker stew. I can start to feel my legs turning from useless office gelatin to mild steel as the mountain climbs become easier each day. I've already made so many mistakes, but I'm certain to make good use of my pain and poor judgment to help curate my life lessons. It's funny how you can do all the research beforehand and still feel like you know nothing.
I've been relearning how to properly fuel and hydrate my body on a tremendous scale that my body has never seen before. I've been burned by the sun and tripped by rocks. I had my legs shake in shock all night from poor hydration and played twister in the sand trying to relieve myself. Each lesson has been etched in my mind and filed away for later use; and that's the easy stuff.
In the times of isolation the darkest corners of my mind start to bend into the light and show its grim figure. I feel so incredibly proud of myself and grateful to be on this journey, but yet there is something there in the darkness I can't quite describe. Perhaps I feel I don't deserve to have this opportunity, or maybe it's the colossal self imposed guilt I shoulder for leaving my wife and family behind. With that said I'm a true believer that the amount of pain and suffering you are willing to endure an equal amount of growth with accompany you to your next level up. I strive to always be moving forward with not only my actions but my
thoughts as well.
With only a week of adventure under my belt I feel like I'm already a new person. I'm beginning to open myself to others, something I haven't done in years. Shaking the rust off my weathered social life has been both challenging and gratifying in unison. As many can speculate this year will demand flexibility and patience, both of which are excellent qualities to work on. I'm doing my best to stay in the present and operate enthusiastically outside of my comfort zone. I have been diligently staying present and not stressing about the future or letting my mind wander too far into the past. I will let this adventure unfold as organically as possible and enjoy every second as it happens. Thanks for following along and hope the best for you and your greatest endeavors.
Well said my friend. :)