Turning Points

In Colorado, there are countless hikes one can go on. The majority of the time I go hiking, I have researched the trail on some app like AllTrails beforehand, so I know what to expect. Occasionally, I stumble upon a mystery trail, which lights my fire because exploring is the best.

As a child, I often asked my mother in the car, 'Mom, where are we going?'

Annoyed, she'd tease me and say, "I don't know Courtney, I think we're lost?"

I'd start to panic and then cry, not having a clear understanding of what lost meant, but knew it was not good. She'd be giggling in the driver's seat at my dramatic meltdown.

When you're a child, you're not in the driver's seat, making you vulnerable and sometimes fearful. As an adult, you are your driver—the driver; you are as vulnerable as you allow yourself to be.

The way you steer your ship matters. Are you even the Captain of your own ship?

I used to fear the unknown, I'd carefully plan out as much as I could, keeping things neat and organized. When obstacles barricaded me from the picture-perfect scene I'd created in my mind, I'd panic and shut down.

I now plan as little as I can safely get away with. I see the unknown as a test of my strength and intelligence. I welcome the moments when I am lost, and my heart rate elevates.

I've been lost mentally.

I've been lost emotionally.

I've been lost in terms of my geographic location, which can cost you your life in Colorado.

Every time I have been lost, the experience has brought me closer to myself and armed me with more awareness and skills. Thus far, I have a 100% success rate in getting unlost.

Every hike has a moment when you are ready for the hike to be over. I call this the I’m ready to be off this mountain moment. There are countless moments when you realize changes need to be made, when you’re ready to be done. There are moments in relationships when you decide there will be no future hikes with a particular human.

You decide when to make changes and turn in a different direction. Choose the direction that brings you back to joy. The best part is looking back on our journey and gaining a more objective outlook on what we just endured— perspective.

Yours in navigation,

Courtney