resilience

Have you ever gone off the beaten path? What made you decide on that? Or did it happen when you least expected it? I have personally made decisions about going against the grain. Then other times it was a fluke. What I mean by fluke is that I didn’t see it coming. Story time. When I was hiking today and I expected it to be a short hike. It ended up being much longer because I got lost. The path I was on started out fine then it became clearly unmarked. So here I am walking along and enjoying the scenery. Then all of a sudden, I saw that the path was not a path anymore. It was leaves, brush, and brambles along the way. I realized that I had gotten off the path and now wandering almost aimlessly through the woods. I stood still and looked around me and tried to pinpoint where the path could be. Here I was in the middle of the woods and at first panic mode wanted to kick in. But I was like hold up Jackie, this isn’t the first time you have gotten lost in the woods. So, pull yourself together and think about what to do next. I looked at my phone and put the gps on for walking, and it led me back to an opening. However, to get back to that opening it took some serious climbing up hill to get there. You see the place I needed to go according to the gps was straight up a mountainside. It was steep! I had to make a beeline among all that was up ahead. I am talking about trees, brushes, brambles, leaves, dirt going uphill, and spiderwebs! I could not stop or I would fall backward. So, I had to be quick, and on the mark to make it to the top. I saw where I needed to go and kept it right in that direction. Along the way, I had to be careful of all the obstacles before me. Once I made it at the top, I was so relieved! I conquered the most difficult task. When you are in survival mode, it does not matter how you get there, but that you make it. That was me! I continued my trek through the woods and had no path yet. But the gps was letting me know, I was closer to my destination. I found my way out and in a nearby neighborhood. I continued walking on the road...no more woods for today. It was blazing hot, and I told myself you got this! The gps said 25 minutes till I reached my car. I was bound and determined to do whatever it took. If I conquered that steep mountainside then I can finish this trek. When I was nearing my car, I thanked the universe for giving me what I needed. I was so elated and grateful to make it back in one piece. I don’t regret the misadventure because it taught me, I have greater resilience than ever. There is nothing too hard or big that we cannot conquer. When you have a drive to complete what you started no matter the cost...it is empowering. I could have flopped myself down in the middle of the woods and cried. But what is that going to solve? I could have called 911 to come and rescue me...that would have been lame. I could have retraced backwards, but I didn’t feel that was an option. What I did do was get myself out of a sticky situation and counted on my body to take me back safely. That is exactly what happened. When my legs were wanting to give out and the heat was scorching me, I kept GOING! Again, off the beaten path does not have to be defeat. It can be a whole new journey that gives you a greater view on your life. A view that changes how resilient you truly are. I know it did me.