This last week I was able to experience a "bucket list" item of mine, hiking with my sister and our ducklings. My sister and I are a lot alike and yet our schedules and life have prevented us from doing something we are both passionate about together. We hiked a section of the PCT and during this adventure I began to think about life experiences and how they are so connected with our health.
If you're reading this blog I ask you STOP right now and ask yourself, "What is stopping me from accomplishing my health and fitness goals?" As we climbed the PCT my sister said “We are so thankful for the ability and our health to allow us to hike and see such beautiful places." Now granted she was telling her 8th grade daughter this to help convince her that hiking is truly better than shopping, talking on the phone, Facebook etc. :) But it's true, realizing we have the ability to seek adventure and follow through to our destination is a grand gift.
So what is stopping you? Is it time, motivation, money or maybe you are telling yourself...."Next week, I will have more time, maybe more motivation." There was nothing more motivating than feeling the temps cool down as the sun fell, smelling the flowers (literally), watching our kids run together, seeing the older kids feel independent in their exploration, all while taking in the views of a mountain that is peaceful in the summer and can be blistering in the winter. Maybe motivation is not gained by reading a blog, hearing a song, reading a book or taking a challenge. Maybe motivation is taking time to smell the flowers, watch kids run innocently along a trail, or feeling a sweat from taking a picturesque hike.
This beautiful blog doesn’t end here :). Nope, my ultimate motivation came from my 6 y/o niece. We found a gorgeous spot to stop and rest, eat snacks, hydrate and cool off. When we sat down my niece removed her shoes and had a torn blister she'd unfortunately not mentioned she had before the hike. Well, if you've never seen a child in pain from a blister it can be a sad sight. The real pain was knowing she'd have to suffer through it; we had a long journey back. Getting the shoe back on without tears was not going to happen; she made that clear to all of us. Sometimes a 6 y/o's gotta do what she's gotta do! She took her shoes off, stood up and away she went. Not only was she quickly heading back, but she was speed walking and skipping....happily. She led the group of us back up the trail, in all fairness we were chasing down a package of S’mores flavored Oreos my sister had brought. Truth of the matter is when you're 6 a little dirt on your feet doesn't matter. But the Oreo’s at the end of the journey makes it all worth it! For us adults, it was an eye opener that an innocent heart, a bit of determination, and being strong willed can get you anywhere, even when you’re 6. So if a 6 y/o old can find her motivation, we can too!
So what's stopping you?
If you're reading this blog I ask you STOP right now and ask yourself, "What is stopping me from accomplishing my health and fitness goals?" As we climbed the PCT my sister said “We are so thankful for the ability and our health to allow us to hike and see such beautiful places." Now granted she was telling her 8th grade daughter this to help convince her that hiking is truly better than shopping, talking on the phone, Facebook etc. :) But it's true, realizing we have the ability to seek adventure and follow through to our destination is a grand gift.
So what is stopping you? Is it time, motivation, money or maybe you are telling yourself...."Next week, I will have more time, maybe more motivation." There was nothing more motivating than feeling the temps cool down as the sun fell, smelling the flowers (literally), watching our kids run together, seeing the older kids feel independent in their exploration, all while taking in the views of a mountain that is peaceful in the summer and can be blistering in the winter. Maybe motivation is not gained by reading a blog, hearing a song, reading a book or taking a challenge. Maybe motivation is taking time to smell the flowers, watch kids run innocently along a trail, or feeling a sweat from taking a picturesque hike.
This beautiful blog doesn’t end here :). Nope, my ultimate motivation came from my 6 y/o niece. We found a gorgeous spot to stop and rest, eat snacks, hydrate and cool off. When we sat down my niece removed her shoes and had a torn blister she'd unfortunately not mentioned she had before the hike. Well, if you've never seen a child in pain from a blister it can be a sad sight. The real pain was knowing she'd have to suffer through it; we had a long journey back. Getting the shoe back on without tears was not going to happen; she made that clear to all of us. Sometimes a 6 y/o's gotta do what she's gotta do! She took her shoes off, stood up and away she went. Not only was she quickly heading back, but she was speed walking and skipping....happily. She led the group of us back up the trail, in all fairness we were chasing down a package of S’mores flavored Oreos my sister had brought. Truth of the matter is when you're 6 a little dirt on your feet doesn't matter. But the Oreo’s at the end of the journey makes it all worth it! For us adults, it was an eye opener that an innocent heart, a bit of determination, and being strong willed can get you anywhere, even when you’re 6. So if a 6 y/o old can find her motivation, we can too!
So what's stopping you?
