I Took a Hike

I took a hike today.? Not a big deal really.? I take a long walk most mornings, have hiked several Adirondack High Peaks and countless other trails.? But this hike I took to do a few things.? All hikes help me as I always incorporate a mind, body and soul approach.? A mental break from screens, chores, work, or other distractions.? This hike I needed more of a reset than usual.? I’ve been on a journey since June to find my next opportunity.? A way to yes, earn a paycheck, but also to be fully invested in a company and product/service I can believe in.? I thought I had that a few times but nothing came of those opportunities.? So it goes I’m told and along with that, I hear the normal clichés.? “One door closes…”.? “Something will come along soon”.? “You’ll be fine”.? All said with sincerity and love I know.? But when nothing comes along, it’s easy to get discouraged.? So I hiked!?

I hiked to do what our IT folks always tell us, REBOOT.? As I type this, I wonder if I accomplished that.? I think this story is also part of the reboot process perhaps.? I reflected on a few things as I hiked a beautiful trail on an old railroad line.? One was that today marks two years since my friend passed away far too soon.? So why am I here?? Lots to unpack there.? Secondly, since this was a flat trail and not a mountain, I didn’t have to watch my every step.? So I was able to “keep my head up” and enjoy the beauty of nature.? Something I can hear my mother saying after a lost soccer match years ago, “keep your head up”.? She was always encouraging and I needed to hear her words today. Then there the fact that in an out-and-back hike of about 10 miles, once you put yourself out there, no one is coming to carry you when you get tired.? There is no early exit.? I hiked 5 miles turned around and the only way back to my car is to hoof it!? So that means I must rely on myself.? My preparation.? My planning.? My, well I’m not sure what you call it.? Something I called, when seen in a fellow hiker with far more motivation than me that particular day, “want to!”? He had it more than I, but I had and have it too right?? Just to a lesser degree perhaps.? You see each time you venture out into nature and hike a long distance away from civilization, you need to be self-motivated.? One step at a time.?

So was this a good reboot?? I think I’ll need more time to determine that.? A beautiful hike on a beautiful day, on a beautiful trail is never a bad thing.? I’ve done little these last few months but keep a routine of getting up at the usual time, take my morning walk, and sit down to find a job.? I probably should have done something like this sooner and more often and perhaps I will going forward.? I just hope I can fit it in my future work schedule.