Aug 14

Aug 14 Mile 1095. Half-way there!

Three months ago, I took a self-funded career sabbatical to hike the 2200-mile Appalachian Trail starting in Georgia and ending in Maine.

I AM OVER HALF-WAY THERE!!!

Following are the top five lessons I’ve learned in over 1200 miles of hiking:

1. LISTEN. Being immersed in the peaceful forest every day for three months has allowed me to focus in on the messages that my body, and my soul, and my inner voice tell me. This is where my truth lies. I now honor my truth.

2. SAY “HELL NO”. I have the power to weed out negative energy in my life. Every day I have a choice. I am never a victim. If a person or an activity or a thing does not bring me joy, then I clear it out to make space for people, activities, and things that do bring me joy.

3. SAY “HELL YES”. I seize opportunities to conquer a fear or do the “impossible” or expand my boundaries. Having the courage to break out of my comfort zone and look like a fool opens up new worlds for me to explore. This is living!!

4. YOU DON’T NEED IT. When I started my 2200-mile journey, I carried everything I need in my backpack that weighed a respectable 29 pounds. Today, my backpack weighs less than 19 pounds. I need much less than I thought I did. And carrying around extra stuff just adds weight, complexity, and unhappy feet. Less is more!

5. DON’T WAIT. Life is fragile. My melanoma diagnosis was the wake-up call that inspired me to bravely step out of the vortex. This allowed me to thoughtfully align my values with my actions. I now actively turn my “maybe someday” into “TODAY”!