As I stand here, atop a mountain, I gaze into the vastness before me with not only excitement, but also a great sense of uncertainty. My hike of life has led me here. It has taken many years to climb this mountain, and I have experienced much of what life has to offer along the way.
When I began my hike as an infant, the trails were well marked and very worn. These trails led me through beautiful pastures, each filled with new creations and objects of beauty that helped shape my appreciation for life itself. There were always helping hands there for me in the event I crawled off the trail, and higher powers assured me that I would not get lost.
As I then grew into childhood, the hike became more challenging. Along the way, I learned the “rules” that one must follow to gain the respect of elders. If others did not teach these to me, there were plenty of signs to help guide me down the proper trails. The same helping hands remained, but they were not as grasping and controlling as they had earlier been, which allowed me freedom to venture down the trail on my own. This newly granted freedom began to give me a sense of self and independence that would become crucial to me in my later years.
Then as I came into my teenage years, a sense of wonder and rebellion came about me. Before long, areas off the well-marked trails became much more appealing to me. And while the areas off of the trail were steeper and usually rougher to traverse, my youth brought with it an undying amount of vigor and energy. As I explored these areas off the trail, seeking new adventures and mysteries, those same helping hands remained. But now, the hands knew to let me run, as it was important that I learn how to get along and find my way back to the trail on my own. This not only helped me gain confidence in myself, but also allowed me to begin to shape the person I would grow up to be in my adult years.
Once into adulthood, I arrived at the base of the mountain. Suddenly the trail ended, and there were no signs to point me in the right direction. Only the experiences from my hike thus far told me to continue the journey, climbing higher, not sure of what I was seeking, but determined to find it nonetheless. Friends, lovers, heartaches, careers, mortgages, children and many other of life’s challenges began to make the load I was carrying heavier, but they also made me stronger along the way. As I did in my teenage years, I stayed away from the heavily beaten trails, as I’ve always found it more adventuresome and exciting to go where others had not. These have been the years that have brought me the most enjoyment along my hike, and although I took many wrong turns along the way, I have no regrets.
So here I stand, atop this mountain, a man unto myself, and I gaze into the daunting wilderness that lies before me. To the left I see gentle, downward slopes that lead to succulent green pastures. To the right, I see much of the same; only the pastures are a bit different, but just as appealing. Straight ahead, I see some larger, more majestic peaks than the one I currently stand on. A thick mist and fog covers them, churning a sense of curiosity and excitement within me.
Which trail should I choose as I move forward into the second half of my hike of life? Should I take one of the trails that look easy, safe and appealing? Or should I venture into the unknown ruggedness that lies straight before me, not knowing what I’ll find? My instincts tell me to go straight ahead, but will this path be too difficult for me? What dangers would I face in my selfish quest to satiate my inquisitive nature? Will I regret my decision once I’ve gone too far?
These are life’s decisions, and we all make them every day we are on our hike. We each choose which trails we’ll follow, fully understanding that no one trail is either right or wrong. We simply choose the trails that are most comfortable to us and bring us the most happiness. And while I know that many others at my point in life would choose the gently sloping trails leading to greener pastures, my heart is pulling me somewhere else.
I must go now, for there is a break in the fog and I see a towering peak ahead that draws me to it. I know I won’t be alone, for there are many others like me that will choose to seek the same adventures along their hike of life. For those of you that choose to take the gently sloping trail, we wish you the best. We’ll all meet up in the same pasture at the end, and we’ll all have some great stories to tell.
G’Night G’Town!
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~John Muir
