Nature is Life’s Agility Ladder
Since I could not be with my mother for Mother’s Day, I opted to spend the day with Mother Earth. For the last few years, I have been slowly checking off the New Hampshire 48 4k footers; today with an 8.4 mile out and back, I reached the summits of Mt. Osceola (4,315) and Mt. Osceola East Peak (4,156). It was a picture perfect day with bright blue skies, a warm sun as the temperature hovered around 45-50 degrees F and few others on the trail.
A benefit of living in New England is the accessibility to several mountains within just a few hours driving distance. I keep a day hike bag packed and ready to go with the ten essentials. Depending on the time of year, extra items are added to the pack such as snow shoes, multiple layers of clothing, food and water and more substantial shelter. When I am about to leave, all I need to do is gather some food, make sure my electronics (including a satellite 2-way messenger) are fully charged and let a few people know which trail I am about to embark on.
Nibi Wabo water ceremony
For me, hiking is one of the greatest gifts I can give myself. This is where I literally connect with the earth. I do so by feeling the ground beneath me, grasping onto cool slabs of granite and other rocks to gain balance or boulder up a chimney, roll pine cones in the palms of my hand and smell the sap residue that was left behind and if I come upon a brook or heavy stream, I spend a few moments performing an Indigenous water ceremony, Nibi Wabo. The closer I feel connected to the earth, the more I feel connected to myself.
Last week there were a couple days where my mind was feeling agitated. I tried using some of my go to coping mechanisms such as breathwork, meditation and journaling. They all helped a bit, in their own way. With a Sunday free of obligations, I decided to head to the mountains. Looking at the weather and summits yet to tackle, I came up with a game plan and it was exactly what I needed. The trail was full of everything such as bouldering, navigating rocks to cross a few streams, snow packed drifts in the alpine zone and several switchbacks to take a bit stress off the knees.
Nature is life’s agility ladder
Stomping around the Fells
My dear friend, Jeannette, and I like to stomp around the Fells and I love how she calls nature life’s agility ladder. This is a great way to build strength in the feet and ankle joints, improving balance, and learning to adapt to challenges. Whether the Fells or the White Mountains, many will try and reach summits as quickly as they can. I choose to take my time, using my walk as a meditation in practice. Whenever I have a mis-step or a slip, without a doubt, my mind was wandering. These slips are a gentle reminder of where to place my attention. This form of meditation in action is an opportunity to get unstuck, embrace change and thrive in all areas of my life.
What does nature do for you?
be well
A special shoutout to this wonderful human being- Happy Mother’s Day!
