so here it is...
i'm finally writing down the vision quest i had while hiking part of the at this past march. by the 3rd day, i was in terrific pain to the point of tears--my pack had pinched a nerve in my neck, and i've been on NSAIDS and a steroid pack for 6 weeks (i delayed going to the doctor until i couldn't stand it). pain is great for letting your mind open, but i wouldn't want to do this very often. but seeing as how i've been in search of a vision quest for quite awhile, the following has deep meaning to me. some of it looks very corny on paper, but that's how my mind wandered. it's funny how a lot of this can be applied to life.
* it's much more challenging and rewarding to walk the steep and rocky trail than to hike the level ones.
* almost everyone you meet on the trail has the same purpose in mind as you and are good-hearted people. but it's still wise to be wary.
* even if you're hiking with a friend, they are really only a presence on the trail. you truly are on your own.
* most of the weight we carry in our packs should have been left at home. there's no need for all the weight we lug around on our backs.
* it's o.k. to admit to someone that you need help. it doesn't make you weak--we all have our strengths in different areas.
* no matter how interesting, difficult, demanding, or bizarre your journey has been, you'll always meet someone who's been on a more unusual hike than you.
* stop at some point on the trail and think about all the hundreds of others that are on the same trail, but at different points. think about who they are, what their goals are, where they're from, etc. it gives you an appreciation of how you're interrelated to them.
* you may not complete your plans, but you should always strive to reach your goals. plans are short-term projects that can/will change in time. goals are life-altering.
so that's it. hiking really whooped my ass, but i learned quite a bit about myself. and yeah, i'd do it again, but this time i'm packing my own pack. :)
the next big adventure is a motorcycle excursion through virginia up to pennsylvania in june. we'll tour some of the civil war battle fields where laura's great-grandfather fought and generally just see the land and the people. so i've got to get saddlebags put on the bike soon.
* it's much more challenging and rewarding to walk the steep and rocky trail than to hike the level ones.
* almost everyone you meet on the trail has the same purpose in mind as you and are good-hearted people. but it's still wise to be wary.
* even if you're hiking with a friend, they are really only a presence on the trail. you truly are on your own.
* most of the weight we carry in our packs should have been left at home. there's no need for all the weight we lug around on our backs.
* it's o.k. to admit to someone that you need help. it doesn't make you weak--we all have our strengths in different areas.
* no matter how interesting, difficult, demanding, or bizarre your journey has been, you'll always meet someone who's been on a more unusual hike than you.
* stop at some point on the trail and think about all the hundreds of others that are on the same trail, but at different points. think about who they are, what their goals are, where they're from, etc. it gives you an appreciation of how you're interrelated to them.
* you may not complete your plans, but you should always strive to reach your goals. plans are short-term projects that can/will change in time. goals are life-altering.
so that's it. hiking really whooped my ass, but i learned quite a bit about myself. and yeah, i'd do it again, but this time i'm packing my own pack. :)
the next big adventure is a motorcycle excursion through virginia up to pennsylvania in june. we'll tour some of the civil war battle fields where laura's great-grandfather fought and generally just see the land and the people. so i've got to get saddlebags put on the bike soon.