Eyes forward. One foot in front of the other.
Eyes forward. One foot in front of the other.
Eyes forward. One foot in front of the other.
I have a passion. I really, truly, love to hike. Sometimes I hike with friends, sometimes I hike alone. Tandem hikes breed companionship, closeness, and understanding between two, or more, individuals. Solo hikes teach lessons, prompt introspection, and promote clarity.
I appreciate hiking for many reasons. I appreciate the physical requirements and vigor involved in completing a challenging hike. I appreciate hiking for the detachment that it affords from the constant barrage of stimulation. I love the connection hiking provides to nature. I enjoy the relief from stress that occurs when hiking. And I love hiking for additional, almost uncountable reasons.
Today I hiked on the Appalachian Trail. And I appreciated something different from my hiking experience. I learned that valuable life lessons can be learned from hiking, lessons that need to be shared.
When hiking, specifically on a trail, or the Appalachian trail, there are important elements to which everyone should pay attention. Just as it is in life, these elements are important for progression.
The first rule, or item to observe, is, eyes forward. Looking over ones shoulder while trying to hike is tantamount to abject disaster. There is no way to hike looking backwards. If you try to hike by constantly looking behind you, it’s actually incredibly dangerous. The most important part is to look ahead, scout the surroundings, and be aware of whats in front of you.
Following this, is a very simple requisite of hiking. One foot in front of the other. That’s how a person hikes. That’s how someone moves forward and makes progress on the Appalachian Trail. That’s how anyone makes progress on any trail. In order to move forward, place one foot in front of the other.
These two important factors will allow you the best chances for a successful hiking experience. There are many potential hindrances for those unobservant to the two major rules.
When hiking, the terrain can be rocky, presenting challenge and difficulty with footing, and presenting potential injury risk.
There is concern when hiking, with elements that affect the trail. There may be snow, and rain, that makes the trail slippery, slick, and treacherous. There might be moss, or fallen leaves, on the trail that causes a hiker to slip. There may even be branches, and sticks, that cause hazardous traverse. The occasional fallen tree may even present a formidable obstacle.
Occasionally, other living creatures present concerns when hiking. There are snakes that like to sun themselves on the trail. Without proper attentiveness, one may almost step upon them, and come close harm from them. Without eyes forward, a hiker might step into a giant, albeit beautiful, spiderweb that might confound and irritate.
Various precarious elements affect one when hiking. Some, like weather, and bugs, are mild, seasonal irritations. Others, like a sprain, or running low on water, are major problems. But there is always, at least on the Appalachian Trail, a marker. There is always an ivory, rectangular, swath. The marker is there to be followed, regardless of the treacherous surroundings. The pale-colored brush stroke points people towards a destination. There is one way to truly be lost on the Appalachian Trail, and that is to ignore the white marks the lead you forward.
Hiking won’t always be an easy hobby, or passion. Life will certainly not be either. When sticking to the most important elements for progression though, we can feel achievement, accomplishment, and immense satisfaction from both.
In the process, sometimes, you find something incredible.
Eyes forward. One foot in front of the other.
Eyes forward. One foot in front of the other.
Eyes forward. One foot in front of the other.
Humbly yours,
J