Is Wisdom or Fear Guiding You?

Last week I was in one of my favorite places visiting one of my favorite clients in the magical city of Asheville, North Carolina. The people, the food, the art, the landscape, are what I describe as honey. Any time I visit I try to explore all that Asheville has to offer, including its glorious Blue Mountain range. And this visit was no different as I set out to hike to see a couple of the places where Hunger Games was filmed.

Although I was determined to go to Dupont State Forest to see High Falls and other picturesque spots, I was also a little trepidatious. First, I'm a woman hiking alone in unfamiliar territory, and then I'm a multiracial Black woman hiking alone in North Carolina.?

As I dug into my research there were mixed reviews about whether I should venture off into the wilderness. My mother said absolutely not. I talked to a woman on the plane who moved to Asheville three years ago, and hikes alone all the time so she urged me to go. Another woman, who worked at my hotel, and lived in Asheville for nineteen years firmly prohibited me from hiking alone.

From all I had gathered, I had a decision to make so I kept asking myself, what felt right to me. Although the anticipation of the unknown shocked me a little, I felt at peace, so I decided to venture off.?

I planned to call my mom as soon as I got there as I was informed I wouldn't have service at times. I planned to take my phone with me in spite of being told my phone wouldn't work much of the time. And I even planned to talk to a park ranger upon arrival, although to be honest there was no assurance I would even run into a park ranger. Yet I?still felt?complete peace about my decision. I felt I could trust the journey. And guess what?!?!? When I got to the forest there happenned to be a park ranger who reassured me of my safety on all levels - including not running into one of the 15,000 bears that live in North Carolina. Yikes!

My six mile trek in Dupont State Forest was nothing short of glorious. I got reception so I could check in with my mom at times, ran into a few people on the trails and some deer along the way, and took in views that one can only fully appreciate by being in the presence of nature.

That said, life is full of mixed opinions about what we should and should not do, but at the end of the day, we are invited to be so in tune with self that we know on a visceral level what is ultimately right for us. The only one who can decide this is you.

We can be led by fear, or we can be led by wisdom. We get to decide. We always get to decide.

Help sharpen your ability to know what is ultimately best for you through our upcoming?Be Transformed yoga series . Every other Saturday from 10 - 11 a.m. ET, starting this Saturday, February 4, we're coming to you via Zoom to help you move, breathe, and meditate. All ability levels are welcome! To secure your spot click?here . In the spirit of not turning any woman away for her inability to afford classes, Kalamazoo County women can click?here ?to complete a quick application thanks to the Stryker Johnston Foundation.

And y'all know I'm always here however you may need support on your healing journey - to schedule a complimentary consultation please click?here .

Let's move in wisdom,

Demarra West

Founder