Here are the requirements for my perfect day hike, and mind you, I know they are quite narrow in terms of parameters, but isn't that the point? First there must be good weather: a breezy upper 60s Fahrenheit, although I'll take lower 70s as well because I'm so easygoing, with partly cloudy skies to block out the sun at key moments when a picture needs to be taken or there is a break in the light filtering trees, requiring shade come by way of fluffy shadows from above. A full stomach is key, as any other impetus to drive me onward besides the call of the trail will force me to walk dangerously fast and complain louder than normal. Finally, the trail should be long enough to add to my sense of accomplishment but not so long as to necessitate carrying too much heavy water or use up my food fuel to the point of getting hangry, which is never a pretty sight coming from this gal, who puts assessing food outlets before clean bathroom facilities.
Today was that day. Everything was perfectly delightful. Nothing. Went. Wrong. By myself and trying a new trail I had never before walked, I drank in every sight, every breeze, even the long climbs up to the top of the mountain. It was only a 1.5 hour hike, but it was pure bliss, especially since I was able to stop at will and take in nature's beauty, recreated in various ways at each curve in the forest passage. Nature was truly showing off today, with trillium and native azaleas in various colors standing at attention, foamy whitecaps dancing in conjunction with sparkling diamonds on the lake, and tall oaks swaying with old pines, colliding and creaking with each big gust of spring air. As I descended lakeside, a not unusual site came into view that gave me pause, as well as my blog idea. (I've found these ideas can't be forced, but seem rather to be gifts, given for attending to the simple things and having the patience to wait for their arrival.) A small, scraggly poplar, caught by the branch of another tree that fell to its demise some long ago time, was bent over and almost touching the ground, yet still growing and thriving. In its own wounded way, it was beautiful too, just as beautiful as the stately yet delicate trillium or the strong and skyward reaching white oak of the trail crest. I stopped in my tracks. What persistence, what courage, and if trees could feel pain, what ache that tee had to endure in its lifetime!
"A different kind of beautiful." This phrase echoed through my mind for the remainder of my hike, and in my mind's eye I saw various people, known and unknown, who fit this phrase. Surely I fit this phrase. Someone may have a physical difference that is a beauty to behold if we take the time to contemplate it, whether it be a scar that represents a battle borne or what an ignorant onlooker might term a handicap. If we pause to look at the person who is living out loud in spite of the difference, or because of it, we see beauty. REAL BEAUTY. Someone else may have that personality trait the casual acquaintance deems odd, or even downright offensive, but perhaps there is a story behind that trait; just maybe that trait is God-given. Let's say the casual observer finds another to be annoyingly confident, demanding, never satisfied with "good enough." That same person may be just the person you need in charge of your taxes. Maybe someone else is closed-mouthed, unsociable, aloof. Just maybe that person has learned to listen more and talk less-the perfect conversationalist according to the experts! Or maybe this person is shy and insecure, but with patience and a few kind words, that person can bloom into the strong friend and confidant for whom we've been looking.
I mentioned I fit this phrase. Yes, it pains me to admit it, but seeming weaknesses and insecurities abound, along with odd "quirks" of my personality that may or may not be endearing to others (although I tell myself they're all part of my allure). Through years of dealing with these differences, I've come to the conclusion that God has allowed each event, each battle scar, each oddity I possess to be used in a unique and celebratory way. For example, a person on first glance may find me a tad obsessed with (let's call it "mindful of") neatness and order. This difference might be a little put-offish to a person just off the street, but by cracky I can help you clean and organize your closets, get rid of redundant clothing, and enjoy the entire process all in one short afternoon! I can edit a document so that no unnecessary word remains, all grammar follows the rules (except when blogging my dear), and each verb encompasses the exact shade of meaning demanded. You want me on your team! I AM BEAUTIFUL! Now I also can be a little shy toward strangers, which most definitely comes from my mother never meeting one. But stick with me for a while until I warm up and you have a devoted friend who will defend you, walk (aprox. 550 miles) alongside you, and encourage you in your dreams. I'll stop here before my veil is completely torn asunder.
Where do we go from here, with all these crazy differences, oddities, and quirks walking around? Look at them straight on. Embrace them. Know without a doubt that behind every difference is a real heartbeat, behind every oddity is a potential treasure, behind every quirk is a beautiful, God-ordained trait that can be used to make life one never boring buen Camino.
Today was that day. Everything was perfectly delightful. Nothing. Went. Wrong. By myself and trying a new trail I had never before walked, I drank in every sight, every breeze, even the long climbs up to the top of the mountain. It was only a 1.5 hour hike, but it was pure bliss, especially since I was able to stop at will and take in nature's beauty, recreated in various ways at each curve in the forest passage. Nature was truly showing off today, with trillium and native azaleas in various colors standing at attention, foamy whitecaps dancing in conjunction with sparkling diamonds on the lake, and tall oaks swaying with old pines, colliding and creaking with each big gust of spring air. As I descended lakeside, a not unusual site came into view that gave me pause, as well as my blog idea. (I've found these ideas can't be forced, but seem rather to be gifts, given for attending to the simple things and having the patience to wait for their arrival.) A small, scraggly poplar, caught by the branch of another tree that fell to its demise some long ago time, was bent over and almost touching the ground, yet still growing and thriving. In its own wounded way, it was beautiful too, just as beautiful as the stately yet delicate trillium or the strong and skyward reaching white oak of the trail crest. I stopped in my tracks. What persistence, what courage, and if trees could feel pain, what ache that tee had to endure in its lifetime!
"A different kind of beautiful." This phrase echoed through my mind for the remainder of my hike, and in my mind's eye I saw various people, known and unknown, who fit this phrase. Surely I fit this phrase. Someone may have a physical difference that is a beauty to behold if we take the time to contemplate it, whether it be a scar that represents a battle borne or what an ignorant onlooker might term a handicap. If we pause to look at the person who is living out loud in spite of the difference, or because of it, we see beauty. REAL BEAUTY. Someone else may have that personality trait the casual acquaintance deems odd, or even downright offensive, but perhaps there is a story behind that trait; just maybe that trait is God-given. Let's say the casual observer finds another to be annoyingly confident, demanding, never satisfied with "good enough." That same person may be just the person you need in charge of your taxes. Maybe someone else is closed-mouthed, unsociable, aloof. Just maybe that person has learned to listen more and talk less-the perfect conversationalist according to the experts! Or maybe this person is shy and insecure, but with patience and a few kind words, that person can bloom into the strong friend and confidant for whom we've been looking.
I mentioned I fit this phrase. Yes, it pains me to admit it, but seeming weaknesses and insecurities abound, along with odd "quirks" of my personality that may or may not be endearing to others (although I tell myself they're all part of my allure). Through years of dealing with these differences, I've come to the conclusion that God has allowed each event, each battle scar, each oddity I possess to be used in a unique and celebratory way. For example, a person on first glance may find me a tad obsessed with (let's call it "mindful of") neatness and order. This difference might be a little put-offish to a person just off the street, but by cracky I can help you clean and organize your closets, get rid of redundant clothing, and enjoy the entire process all in one short afternoon! I can edit a document so that no unnecessary word remains, all grammar follows the rules (except when blogging my dear), and each verb encompasses the exact shade of meaning demanded. You want me on your team! I AM BEAUTIFUL! Now I also can be a little shy toward strangers, which most definitely comes from my mother never meeting one. But stick with me for a while until I warm up and you have a devoted friend who will defend you, walk (aprox. 550 miles) alongside you, and encourage you in your dreams. I'll stop here before my veil is completely torn asunder.
Where do we go from here, with all these crazy differences, oddities, and quirks walking around? Look at them straight on. Embrace them. Know without a doubt that behind every difference is a real heartbeat, behind every oddity is a potential treasure, behind every quirk is a beautiful, God-ordained trait that can be used to make life one never boring buen Camino.