Lesson from the Trail

So here are some important life lessons gleaned from spending time on ‘the trail’. It gives me a perfect time to reflect, and yes to add to my personal collection of life inspirations.

So here goes..

Lesson #1 Aspire to start early.

I guess ‘early’ it’s a relative term, 7AM on the trail is early for me ( ie. at break of light), but at that hour, there are some folks already coming down the trail. Why start early? Well, in life as on the trail, it is a good thing to always start the day early. You get more out of the day, and after a good work out as you get to enjoy all the endorphins (feel-good-chemicals produced in the body) for the rest of the day, so make the maximum use of it. Always do try to start the day early! 

Lesson #2 Take one step at a time.

Often times, if the focus is the end goal, we can easily feel discouraged at the start of the journey, because there is ‘still’ so much of the journey left to complete. But as in life, we need to just focus on the next step at hand (or is foot now?). It breaks down our tasks into bite size steps. Ever heard of the expression,‘.. don’t bite off more than you can chew’. Success is just one little chew at a time.

Beam me up Scotty!

Lesson #3 Enjoy the present

If there is ever a lesson to be gleaned, it is learning to just enjoy the journey. I so enjoy the quiet  sounds of the forest (cicada calls, monkeys rustling the branches ) and ( i reaally love this) .. the sound of crunching sand with each step I take. Having an attitude of ‘enjoying the moment’ helps us to free our minds from the tyranny of the future. Just enjoy the moment. Life becomes less complicated and a self-awareness of the ‘now’ allows us to truly ‘live’.

a tree root pretending to be a snake. Or is it other way round..

Lesson #4 Watch out for unexpected ‘guests’

At the trails, we do need to be watchful because we share the forest with many other of God’s creatures, yes including the slithery ones, and I am always careful about them. Always be watchful for the ‘snakes’ that may do you harm. Not everything in life that comes across your path is friendly, so we do have to be watchful.

a 'wood'-be python... get it??? aha lame?

Lesson #5 Make it a point to greet those on the trail.

When I first started out, one thing that was immediately apparent to me was that everyone (well, almost .. ) we meet along the trail has a cheerful disposition and a cherry ‘good morning’ as we pass each other. It makes the journey so much more enjoyable when the few humans we pass along the way, will take the trouble, even if for a few seconds, to greet you well. In life we do need to develop that good habit, not only to wish each other well, but (if possible) be a blessing when we can.

Life then becomes meaningful as we bring a little joy to those we ‘pass’ along the way.

The Son salute.

Finally at the end of the journey there is this crushing thirst created, which will be fully satisfied by a nice sweet coconut juice/meat (at bottom of the hill, thanks to an enterprising vendor). But to truly enjoy the delight of a thirst quenching experience, there must first be an exhausting and challenging demand; and therefore, for  every challenging episode in life, be encouraged there will be a fitting reward that will wipe away the momentary troubles.

well worth the effort. Well done Andrew! 

Jesus is the ‘balm of Gilead’ that brings healing to every bruise inflicted. Life can be rough, but our Lord is our Helper and Comforter. He is that spring of 'living water' that nourishes ALL who come to drink. No charge too!  

Thanks for reading.

A 'thirsty' man relishes the first taste of a sweet coconut. 

Jesus says, "he is the spring of living waters, if any man drinks of him, he will not thirst again"