I am a naturally curious person. I want to know how, and why (I have never outgrown “why?”), and what does that do? I simply want to understand, and see, most things.
I genuinely believe this is why I have never met a hiking trail I didn’t love. Sure, sometimes the ups and downs of the trail leave a bit to be desired, but still, I love a hiking trail. I love knowing there is a path to follow so I can just get lost in the surroundings, the curiosity of what is around each curve and corner keeps me going forward. I love the sense of accomplishment of finding my way to the other side, and I am grateful that the view at the end is most often something beautiful.
I have also found in the last few years that I don’t take as many risks out there as I used to; I don’t hike as close to the edge, I have been known to sit on my butt and slowly make my way to the ledges I used to just walk up to and look over. I’ve lost a certain amount of gut, or grit in this regard, but I chalk it up to getting a little older, a weak knee and a husband who is constantly telling me to be careful. Lol. I like the parts of the trial that are comfortable, clear, wide, easy.
Recently, we were out hiking and Clarence stopped to take a break but there was more trail left going higher… of course I had to. I can’t NOT. I can’t not know what is around the next corner, I can’t not know what cool thing might be around the next bend. I am a child you see. I have never outgrown the wonder of what might be and what if I quit right before the coolest part of the journey?! I can’t let that happen!
So, I trekked up higher, and then higher as I was convinced there was a “best view” spot. Eventually I hit the end of the trail after scrambling up some rocks and getting closer to the ledge than my husband would have been ok with, but he was back down the trail, so, there’s that.
As I was scrambling up the rocks it occurred to me, this is the process of life; always one more curve, one more bend, a little bit higher for a better view. One more beautiful place to explore, one more challenge just to see if I can do it, one more place I haven’t been before and I don’t know if I will ever be back so I should see and do and ask and learn and… all the things. One more. Always.
That realization changed something in me. I sat for a moment at the top of the trail, the view actually wasn’t the best one on that trail, it was simply the top. I wondered how often I make life harder in my own mind? How often do I leave curiosity only for the hiking trail and forget to make it the background of everything? How many times can I enjoy, or learn, or wonder with the mind of that child, about things that seem arduous or boring, or places I am afraid of something outside my comfort zone?
Where and how often am I missing the mystery of the next bend or curve in life because I have forgotten to bring that sense of wonderment with me?
Sure, every trail is different. Some are boring, some are really really hard and make my legs burn, some have tons of bugs (I hate that) some of them left me just baking in the sun with not much to see that I had interest in. Life is like that, not everything is amazing.
But what if I just wonder and be curious?
Today, I ask you to bring your curiosity to your life. What has become predictable where you can find comfort in the familiar? What is challenging that you can bring your curiosity to and change the experience? Where can you just wonder about what’s possible and in doing so have way more options and opportunities than you originally considered?
Where can we just be fully available to what is unfolding in front of us?
Forever the journey, Anne