Find Your Strong!!
I just returned from a trip of a lifetime that included two days of hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains with my daughter. It was amazing! First, I have often said that I would enjoy watching paint dry if I was doing it with either of my children and I mean it! Of course, hiking in the mountains was much more fun than watching paint dry…but you get the idea!
I turned 60 years old in January and I happened to mention to my daughter that “adventure” was going to be my word for this next year! She wasted no time at all and jumped on that one by presenting me with a card telling me that for my birthday she was going to take me hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains! We were headed to NC in May anyway for a wedding, so she offered we could stay on after the others returned home and spend some time together…mother and daughter. She rented a wonderful Air B&B that was called “Hansel’s Treehouse” and it truly was set amongst the trees. We were surrounded by trees and a gorgeous view and had a Christmas Tree farm across from us! Dreamy!!! So amazingly beautiful and peaceful!
The reason I write about this trip here is that I learned so much on this trip and was able to be present and be myself the entire time. That was really special. My daughter knows me pretty well and she always believes in me…encourages me…and reminds me of all I am capable of! That may sound funny coming from a therapist who spends all day doing that for her clients, but there is something special about getting those reminders from the child you taught to believe in themselves, you encouraged, and you reminded them of all they were capable of! The sharing of that experience was so powerful.
On day two of the hike, we started out with sweatshirts on as it was cool and had been raining. Shortly after entering into the hike I shed the sweatshirt and just had my tank top on. For those who know me, my shirts often have a message on them…and this one did not disappoint!!! The only shirt with a message that I brought on this trip said “Find Your Strong!” I chose it for a reason…I knew that I wanted to be sure to find my own strong as I ventured out on a trip that was potentially going to challenge me physically and mentally. I tend to be a “play it safe” type of person and although I try new things and push myself…I do tend to keep things pretty safe. I knew I didn’t want to hold my daughter back (even though she assured me she had no agenda or specific expectations) and I also knew I didn’t want to hurt myself and ruin the trip! So…
We chose hikes that could be challenging, but not to the point of being dangerous. Lesson one! You don’t have to push yourself beyond realistic limits to feel challenged and enjoy the accomplishment!
We kept a great pace with just enough speed to keep us moving and to feel that heartbeat increase. Lesson two! Don’t be afraid to push yourself to the point of discomfort, and only take a break or pull back a bit when you truly need to!
I spoke up when I needed a breather and my daughter respected that without judgement. Lesson three! Speak up…don’t keep how you are feeling to yourself, and know that people are not judging you (and if they are that is about them, not you!)
We paused to take in the nature around us and truly were present. Lesson four! Yes, stop to smell the roses, and the dirt, and the trees, and the flowers, and the fungus in the forest! Take it all in. Focus on each moment. Truly recognize that the journey IS the destination! The top, the bottom, and everything in between!
We ate well. Lesson five! Take care of yourself! Give yourself the food, water, nutrients, rest, sunshine, company, silence, that you need. It all matters!
We rested. Lesson six! Early to bed to get the most and best rest you can. Being in a strange place isn’t always comfortable and can make it difficult to sleep (as it did for both of us) but do your best to rest and give your body and mind a chance to recharge.
We celebrated the “success” of each hike! Lesson seven! Do celebrate. Do feel proud. Do acknowledge what you have done!
We had fun. Lesson eight! Enjoy. Have fun. Laugh. Smile. Love. Be Grateful and take in every drop of joy! That is the best medicine ever!
So…yes! I found my strong! My strong is within me always. I don’t always have access to it as I would like, but I work on that every day. Sometimes others help me remember my strong. My daughter had faith in me and reminded me of that in the way she treated me, talked to me, encouraged me, and believed in me. Sometimes we encounter people who may not have that faith in us and that can make it a bit harder to find your strong. Just remember, it is there! It may be blocked and at times difficult to tap into…but it is there. It’s exciting to find your strong! It feels pretty darned awesome. Knowing it is there makes me want to find other ways it will show itself. That comes by challenging ourselves to step out of our comfort zone, take chances, and push ourselves a bit. Find your strong! And, if you need help, I am more than happy to be the helper! You see, I KNOW it is there! Now…let’s find it together!!!
