Your Peaceful Journey

Are you a hiker? Our immediate family doesn’t hike, although we did walk around the block a few times last year. Earlier this week I heard comments that prove we’re not hiker-types. One child stated how hiking generally lacked a competitive element and our other child didn’t see the point because there’s no score. Sure, you could add a point system and race to the top of a mountain, but that kind of defeats the purpose.

Does the fresh air, the challenging terrain, and wildlife motivate you to tackle the trails? If I were to hike, I’d do it for the incredible views. Have a look:

                                                        https://youtu.be/fHCemviY06Y   
Wake up! I'm sure the sights and sounds sent you into doze mode. Wouldn’t you want to explore this area? Lace up a pair of hiking boots and trek through the wilderness to experience  this gorgeous scenery in New Zealand. We’re so busy multi-teching (my word for multi-tasking with technology), and rushing in a dozen different directions that we forget how to appreciate the “minor” moments. If hiking doesn't bring you peace, what activity does?

Modified and reposted from March 2014   

The Person of Interest

  

Your physical appearance impacts your personality for bad or for good. For instance, a tall person might develop a strong level of confidence, walking around towering over people. The same circumstance might cause another person to be shy, hunching over to blend in. Physical attributes may dictate who we become, but so many other factors guide us in becoming our best version of ourselves. Listen to what this guy learned:

                                     https://youtu.be/_TbWcdN-W8o

We limit our potential by overemphasizing how we’re built, where we live, and how the outside world responds to us. Once we’re determined to be our best selves, we’ll find ways to make that happen. We’ll attract supportive friends, find positive environments to shape us, and develop habits and lifestyles to help us to reach our goal. Despite the obstacles in life, good choices allow us to push forward. What’s the biggest thing that will keep you on the journey to becoming your best self?         

Closer Than You Think

Can you believe the fog? Earlier this week when warm temperatures mixed with melting snow, the roads almost disappeared in the fog. Add howling wolves, a shadow lurking beside a shed, and you have the perfect setting for a mystery/thriller movie.

It’s amazing how much danger a dense fog can hide. One minute you‘re driving down an empty   road and the next minute an animal or vehicle appears from nowhere. You never know what you’ll spot once the fog clears. Here’s a scary situation:

                                         http://youtu.be/ne6NwcYFc8w

Fog is like life: go far enough and you’ll encounter a surprise that’s just beyond the bend. Sometimes circumstances cloud our perspective and discourage us from seeing down the road, until we slow down and look around. Better days may closer than we think. What’s one thing you can do right now to enhance your journey?  

Looking For Amazing

Are you omazing? I’m omazing. At least that’s what I discovered when one of our kids made an acrostic for the word “mother.” I forget what the “M” stood for, but I had to laugh when nothing came to mind for the letter “o” and I became omazing. That’s fine with me, because I’m pretty sure omazing ranks a step above amazing. Believe it or not, some of the most ordinary things that surround us are amazing. Take a look:

                                          http://youtu.be/LvoEHmjJwac

 Only this species makes the arduous, annual trek each fall. It’s odd how they’ll travel to Mexico while other species fly shorter distances or hibernate locally for the winter. Perhaps they’re hard-wired to do what they do. Do you believe we’re like that, too? What do you think human beings are naturally compelled to do?                

Are You Lost?

I like power-shopping.  That’s the “art” of entering a store and gathering the necessary items in record time, within ten to fifteen minutes. Small convenience stores don’t count, they are designed for quick purchases—you’re in and you’re out.   The real key to power-shopping lies in knowing the store layout. So, when major stores in town decide to renovate and/or super size, take skates and get ready to wonder and wander.  Has anyone seen the soap?

In this area, over the past three years, at least three major stores have undergone renovations.  Once shelves are shuffled around, merchandise can quickly pop up in aisles that used to be empty spaces.  During a renovation, from start to finish, everything is in flux.  Stores should distribute floor maps as soon as a customer walks in the door.  The greeter could smile, wave and say, “Hello! Here’s today’s floor plan. Good Luck!”  Wave back. You won’t see them anytime soon.  I don’t know what renovations mean for store prices or the local economy, but I know what it means for me—confusion!

Fear not! The tips necessary to survive a store renovation are similar to what’s needed to survive a hike.  Watch and learn:

In addition to those great strategies, be prepared to take or purchase a bottle of water and some gum for the journey. 

Power-shopping (and hiking) is a lot like life.  If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re bound to be easily lost or distracted along the way. Eventually, you’ll wind up somewhere, doing something, but probably not where you wanted to be or doing what you should be doing. 

Have you ever felt lost in life? How did you handle that time and how did you get back on track?