Today I have been hiking in the countryside.
Of course I wasn't expecting a lush nature with lots of green now at the beginning of February, but on the other side the barren trees do hold a beauty of their own. And I simply wanted to get out. Escaping the noise of the city - and the restlessness of my thoughts.
The area is beautiful - but do not mistake my thoughts on my walk - I haven't been in the mountains. But some similarities occured to me.
First I went uphill.
I thought: wow, this is exhausting (overweight and untrained as I am at the moment). But then I thought: well, at least it is going upward. Not a downfall. And to get to the top, to achieve something, you have to make some efforts. So do not complain but enjoy even the exhausting bit.
On top of that hill of course I was happy.
And I went downhill.
But it wasn't a downfall. I realised that the going down was needed. Needed to rest from the exhaustion of going uphill. Realising it cannot always go "up". And you cannot stay on top forever either - the air is much too thin.
Then a very muddy, slippery part followed. I had to be careful, mind my steps. And I was doubting if I had taken the right route. Wondering whether I should go back.
I took a rest. Holding on to a small tree (I was standing on slippery ground). And realising: yes, sometimes I do need a rest. Sometimes I do have to rethink things. Take a look back, take alook around - and then take a look ahead.
And then I had to gather my strength, my will and my courage - to let go of the tree I was holding onto and walk ahead.
Still slippery ground - and I still wasn't sure where exactly this path would lead me. But it was leading up again.
Then there was the "point of no return". Not in a negative sense. But it was the point when I knew it wouldn't make any sense you walk all the way back but much better to walk on.
And finally I reached my goal - the place where I started the hiking.
And I had learned a lot - about the way my life goes and about myself.
And I wasn't alone - God was with me all the way, making sure I would neither slip and fall nor loose my way-
Of course I wasn't expecting a lush nature with lots of green now at the beginning of February, but on the other side the barren trees do hold a beauty of their own. And I simply wanted to get out. Escaping the noise of the city - and the restlessness of my thoughts.
The area is beautiful - but do not mistake my thoughts on my walk - I haven't been in the mountains. But some similarities occured to me.
First I went uphill.
I thought: wow, this is exhausting (overweight and untrained as I am at the moment). But then I thought: well, at least it is going upward. Not a downfall. And to get to the top, to achieve something, you have to make some efforts. So do not complain but enjoy even the exhausting bit.
On top of that hill of course I was happy.
And I went downhill.
But it wasn't a downfall. I realised that the going down was needed. Needed to rest from the exhaustion of going uphill. Realising it cannot always go "up". And you cannot stay on top forever either - the air is much too thin.
Then a very muddy, slippery part followed. I had to be careful, mind my steps. And I was doubting if I had taken the right route. Wondering whether I should go back.
I took a rest. Holding on to a small tree (I was standing on slippery ground). And realising: yes, sometimes I do need a rest. Sometimes I do have to rethink things. Take a look back, take alook around - and then take a look ahead.
And then I had to gather my strength, my will and my courage - to let go of the tree I was holding onto and walk ahead.
Still slippery ground - and I still wasn't sure where exactly this path would lead me. But it was leading up again.
Then there was the "point of no return". Not in a negative sense. But it was the point when I knew it wouldn't make any sense you walk all the way back but much better to walk on.
And finally I reached my goal - the place where I started the hiking.
And I had learned a lot - about the way my life goes and about myself.
And I wasn't alone - God was with me all the way, making sure I would neither slip and fall nor loose my way-