Sunday, November 04, 2012

Pushing My Boundaries:

I'm at a place in my life where I want adventure.  Starting with small steps with gradual changes will increase the chances that I will continue to add flavor to my life.  I love consistency and routines, but there also needs to be spice to life.  Routines lull, their false sense of safety and comfort stifling, create fear.  The safety net has been flung aside, I am jumping fearlessly into life.  I trust and surrender to All that is.  To BEing.  Life is a beautiful gift to be lived to the fullest!  Life is to BE lived out loud!  In vibrant color!

So to celebrate life and the part of me that craves adventure I decided to start going on hikes.  I joined a group a couple of years ago but never went on any of the hikes because I was apprehensive about the challenge of the hikes.  The other day I chose to finally go on one.  I've been on two so far.  The first hike was at the beginning of September at a park.  It was 2.5 miles and relatively easy.  The second hike was in October.  It was 2.5 miles but a little more challenging with rougher terrain, deeper in the woods.  There were rocky sections that I had to scramble up, narrow steps that dropped to a stream below, a suspension bridge.  My adrenaline was pumped several times, but I loved every second of the hike.  There were 12 women in the group.  We talked, walked, laughed, stumbled, tripped over the roots of trees, laughed some more, talked about our lives, and families.  All different, but the same.  Everyone seeking the challenge of the hike, to connect with nature, and one another.  I pushed my boundaries because I didn't know anyone on the hike, out of 12 people only 2 people were acquainted.  I also pushed my limits by hiking.  Being a self proclaimed introvert I forced myself outside my box of comfort by meeting 11 new friends, and physically forcing myself to hike 2.5 miles.  We stopped half way through and ate snacks, talked, laughed, got to know one another.  I cherish the day.

I will continue to live outside my comfort zone in small ways, getting the blood to flow scortching hot through my veins.  Knowing I'm living the life God intended for me to live.  I'm reminded of the quote by St. Catherine of Siena which she states most beautifully and eloquently, "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire."    

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