It’s not the beginning but the end.

With starting a journey that will take me me roughly six months to complete, it almost seems pointless to think about the end. In truth, that’s what I’ve been focusing on a lot lately. I wonder what will happen after I touch the sign on Mount Katahdin, the trails end. I find myself wondering how this trail is going to change me. That is an exciting thought for me, as if I’m inspired by my future self. This is a good thought for me to have when I’m not having a good day. Even though I’m not on trail, I still think about what’s to come and it’s exciting. This is exactly what the next list in my journal is supposed to do. It’s to be read in times of doubt for that burst of inspiration to get me up and moving north.

When I successfully thru- hike the Appalachian Trail I will..

• Have the confidence in myself that I lack.
• Be full of 100% happiness and joy.
• Have the story of a lifetime.
• Have my faith in humanity restored.
• Know deep down, the pain was worth it.
• Find out what it means to live.
• Be a better person.
• Be in tune with who I am.
• Discover where I’m going next (hopefully).
• Have so many wonderful memories.
• Create friendships that will last forever.
• Be proud of myself.
• Be a stronger man
• Cry tears of joy and tears because it’s over.

These thoughts make me look forward to finishing this because I’m defiantly ready for a change. I’m tired of being stagnant, I want to flow and move, be alive. I know that the Casey who walks under the stone arch at Amicalola Falls will not be the same Casey who summited Katahdin. I can’t to discover who that’ll be and what he’ll look like.