Last week the weather was beautiful. I could feel the earth breathe a collective sigh and release as warmth and sun greeted the mountains. It energized my whole being for the first big hike of the season. Sunday was my birthday, and I told my friends that hiking was how I wanted to celebrate during these challenging Covid times. However, the night before, the forecast on my phone showed a significant shift backwards in the weather. What to do?
Lately, I sense a lack of energy in the world. I am tired. My patience can get short, and my frustration palpable. I don’t think I am alone here. How do we maintain our energy and optimism when it can seem quite dark outside?
At 6am on Sunday, with cold, pouring rain outside, I texted my friends, giving them an out from our hike. “Never, never, never give up,” responded one, quoting Winston Churchill. So off we went into the fog.
Within the first mile this curious bull elk looked at us with wonder. A mile later more wildlife walked alongside us. There was a stillness to their company on the quiet, wet morning. We walked slowly up the mountain. We had the right gear. We had the right food (fritos are my 5th food group). And, we relished the moments even though the weather wasn’t what we expected.
Like the earth, our energy gets replenished when it comes from deep in the well. Those who run long distances know the need for and power of pacing, no matter what the weather. It will change.
Our super power is to keep breathing; keep going; keep replenishing; keep remembering what we are made of and the essence and values that strengthen us inside (like Fritos :). Those things are different for all of us, but I do believe that at their deepest level they all come home to love (of our worth, self, family, friends, spirit, country, globe and earth). Right now, we all are in a very long marathon where we may not be able to see the end.
My birthday was a reminder that if I slow down to maintain my pace, conserve my energy, remember my vision and surround myself with something or someone who helps me laugh, I can build strength and have faith in my future self.
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