So Fortunate to Find a Hitchhiker

So Fortunate to Find a Hitchhiker

By Terre Short

A young lady with a pack almost as big as her approached my car and asked which way I was headed. She had just completed a guided mountaineering experience on Aoraki/Mt. Cook on the South Island in New Zealand. We had just returned from an awe-inspiring hike at the base of a glacier on that mountain. I was headed her way.

We did not get very far into our two-hour drive before we both knew we were meant to meet. She stayed with us for three nights and we explored interests, people connections, and the wanderlust we share. While she repeated her gratitude for the accommodations we provided, I feel it pales in the shadow of how grateful I am for our encounter.

Having her teach me to make proper Thai curry from scratch was a tangible experience for which I am grateful. It is more the essence of who she is and the reflection she provided for my own life choices that fills me up. She is living life on her terms and honoring the choices she makes. It is often more in hindsight that one feels the full impact of big life choices. While we are in transition or making such choices, there can be a lot of uncertainty.

The uncertainty comes from what others tell us and the words we choose for the story we tell ourselves. I am grateful that I have typically had reasonable control over my internal narrative and allowed it to guide me more than the opinion of others. This is not always easy. What helps is to honor what I learn intuitively - what my body, mind and spirit inform. The sooner one can trust this guidance, the easier it is to choose wisely.

As we pause longer than usual to count blessings and express gratitude this week, I will hold this encounter in my heart, and appreciate the journey I have been on. My new explorer friend has reminded me of many life experiences that I cherish and that make me who I am. As I continue to evolve and live my best life, I long to inspire others to know their worth, honor their strengths and realize all that they can achieve. I will never intentionally fall in a crevasse to learn how to get back out, but I’m sure I will have other experiences that remind me who I truly am. Thanks Vinny!

Our Words Matter Course on Words We Choose for Ourselves is a great place to start to elevate your internal narrative and choose words that support the evolution of your best self.