Sometimes my husband and I like to go hiking. When we don’t have an entire day to devote to
playing, but still want to get out in nature, we have our go-to canyon that’s
fairly close to home, includes a moderate hike, and has beautiful views. We’ve hiked in this canyon multiple times,
usually making our way to the top of the rim, enjoying the view, and then going
back down the same way we went up.
Recently, however, we decided to go down a different way so
we could see some other sites in this gorgeous canyon. We had forgotten to grab a map but figured we
could find our way ~ or else we would just turn around and go back the way we’d
come… if we needed to.
Our hike up to the canyon rim was nice and familiar. After making our way to the top and taking
some time to enjoy the view and eat breakfast, it was time to keep going. The canyon rim was longer than we
expected. As we continued to walk, with
the temperatures rising, we began to wonder when we would find the path that
would take us back down into some shade.
When we stumbled upon a rattlesnake we almost turned around,
but decided to keep going on the path that was new to us.
After passing various clumps of trees, each time sure we
were to see the path that would take us down into the canyon, only to find more
boulders and trees, we asked a fellow hiker (who was heading in the opposite
direction) how far we had to go before the descent began. We were closer than we thought!
As we made our way back down into the canyon we got to see
some new sites, like an old, crumbling dam and a glittering waterfall. There were sporadic signs to point the way,
but we also came upon forks in the path; sometimes we chose the right way and
sometimes we had to turn around and take the other path. We enjoyed the new experience, but there were
also times we wondered when it would end (especially when we ran out of
water!). But by the time we got back to
our car we were grateful for the new things we saw and the lessons we learned
along the way.
Hiking on this new (to us) trail, when we weren’t quite
prepared and we didn’t quite know where we were going, reminded me of the
unchartered trail we sometimes get to travel as moms.
I had some definite expectations as my boys moved into their
young adult lives. I had a map that
showed the course they were “supposed” to take.
As some of them choose a different way I sometimes feel lost and alone,
sometimes I’m scared of the dangers that are out there, and sometimes I get
tired of the new terrain.
However, staying stuck and afraid and exhausted isn’t the
only option as you travel down this road you’d rather not be on. Sure, there are probably dangers along the
way, but you can navigate your way safely around them. It’s also important to remember that even
when you’re in new territory and unsure of exactly where you’re headed, there
*are* fellow travelers that can guide you.
And whether you see this as an opportunity or an unbearable burden will
make all of the difference ~ for you.
What would happen if you embraced this new opportunity to
learn the value of agency and to learn how to love unconditionally? Wishing you weren’t on this path won’t make
it go away. So, since you’re here
anyway, why not make the best of it?
Learning to find peace in a situation you can’t change is a
valuable skill to have. There’s no
better time to do it than now. Peace
*can* be yours.
