Adventure is out there!

“There is always an adventure waiting in the woods.” ― Katelyn S. Bolds

As I have become more familiar with the different trails and paths available at the state park where I hike, I have become more bold as well and have snuck away from the wider trails in favor of some of the more overgrown and narrow ones.

This week I felt absolutely giddy when I followed a trail that veered off in another direction and encountered the most breathtaking sights! Wild flowers were blooming, streams were bubbling, and the woods felt pure and unexplored. This picture is of part of the path I took. I have a bit of trouble with navigation and am easily lost; however I have learned over the past few months that generally one path always crosses with another and have been surprised on a couple of occasions with where my little detours have taken me.

It has been a wonder for me indeed, exploring the land and enjoying the small marvels God reveals to me in nature but also within myself. For within each journey part of myself is unveiled and I am face to face with either a lesson to build my character, or a blessing to appreciate, or a revelation about life. When I say adventure is out there, it is both for the physical natural experience and also the spiritual journey I am on.

This past week I felt defeated. I have felt old and exhausted and bereft. I find that I look forward to my time in the woods. I feel like the trees are my family and the path is an extension of my home. I always leave the park refreshed and renewed. I step onto the path full of conflicting emotions and questions and hurt, and during my time on the trail a great transformation occurs where I am able to empty myself out and reboot.

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."

-John Burroughs

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks."

-John Muir

I open myself up when out on the trail. I am vulnerable and real with myself and reflect on my failings, struggles, and the questions that burden my heart. I learn so much about life from being in a place teeming with life! I try to stop frequently and jot thoughts that stand out so I can think more on them later. I also take lots of pictures as well of anything that catches my attention. I am certain to be quite an annoying hiking partner, as I probably seem like a tourist who has never seen nature before!

Generally I will fixate on a certain lesson or topic or idea and expound on it in my blog posts; however this last time I was on the trail I was barraged by many thoughts, and since this blog is called "Meanderings," I may as well let you experience exactly how fragmented and wandering my mind can be! Below are incomplete thoughts I had on my last hike. I have had little time with home schooling to truly reflect further on them, however they are possible fodder for future posts. I hope you can appreciate them and chuckle with me as you see how busy my mind can get!

I am never so faulty as I am when I feel confident and faultless, then I am brought down low. It is a reminder that I will never be perfect while alive on this earth. My education will never be finished.

The harder you cling to something whether it be a person—friend or foe, lover or child, an idea, or a thing— the more it will wrestle against you to get away. No one and nothing wants to be held in any kind of captivity. A prison cell is a prison cell no matter what the bars are made out of, whether it be admiration or disdain, out of love or hate or fear or even a desire to keep someone safe.

In nature I see it; in the way the rocks on the path roll from the center of the trail to the edges. Whether kicked from hikers or bikers, it rarely stays where it was originally placed.

I notice the moss on the ground-- how it seems to creep away from the forest onto the path’s edge. Everything is in constant motion, and it seems to be trying to get away from where it originated from.

Do not the roots of a mighty tree grow down down down seeking the life source of water and vitamins in the soil and the branches grow up and out seeking the life source of the sun?

Even the leaves drop away from the branches and fall to the ground when it’s time is done.

Stagnation rarely brings life except for among the devouring types: fungi, and scavengers for decomposing or birth to those insects like mosquitoes and flies. There may be some lesson in this...

Why do we as humans always seek things that are not life giving? But we are always seeking that which is thrilling or impairing or numbing? We should follow the example of nature and seek what is life giving. Not the opposite!

So what is the lesson in this? To cling to that which is unfailing: the everlasting love of God. Nature seeks life and is always moving towards it--we should follow this example.

Regarding the trail, the "hidden and secret"path I thought I was taking, it ended up winding around and bringing me back to the main path. I found that to be highly interesting and it only confirmed my severe directional impairment. This is the second time I have wandered off the wider trail and both times I have ended back on a path I am already familiar with. I will need to think more on this and how it relates to my life--maybe sometimes how helpful little detours can be and how they don't necessarily take you completely away from where you are meant to be?

Hmmm...thoughts for next time perhaps!