Faith Is a Step Toward Your Dreams

Thank you for joining me on my adventure of a lifetime. As I prepare to hike the 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, I hope that every step will not only bring me closer to fulfilling a dream, but will also be an inspiration for many others to also take steps toward their dreams. If you are reading this, then I want you to know and believe that there is greatness within you.

With that being said, I will take you to the very beginning of my dream to thru-hike the AT, and where I believe the accomplishment of most dreams begin, faith.

Aug. 15, 2015

I’ve always had a thought in the back of my mind to get lost in creation, to hike the Appalachian Trail more specifically. A friend recently told me that nothing is ironic, and it makes me wonder if this dream is part of a greater plan for my life. I almost have a confidence that it is true.

Oct. 18, 2015

If we have a thought, an idea, or a motivation to act, but that action seems irrational, why is our initial response to suppress them?

It is extreme, and if I told most people about hiking the AT, they would debate in their heads my sanity. But I debate in my head their sanity for not wanting to go on such a great adventure.

I think we should take a moment to think about this thought that presented itself to us. Is it really irrational, or is it distinguishable from the norm? There is something in our flesh that wants to be comfortable and tries to push the idea of doing something greater than ourselves out of our mind. But what if we made a radical decision to listen instead? Don’t let your mind suppress your heart. There will be no growth, and no beauty without risk. Instead of pushing this desire away, we should reflect on it, pray about it, and when we find out why it is speaking to us, we should follow that voice to a fuller life.

May 8, 2016

It is nine months, and still my thoughts are in the same place. I increasingly feel that I have too much of what I think I want and not enough of what I know I need. And if these are the thoughts that have been consistently on my heart, then something needs to change. I know that my actions in the present will determine how I live my future. I feel called to walk forward in life, to hike farther, and to climb higher than even this earth has to offer. It is not about how far I can go, it is about how willing I am to see how far God can take me.

Oct. 20, 2017

I’ve had this thought similar to those illusion scenes in movies where I’m standing between mirrors creating a long line of mes. I patiently wait behind myself, but inside I anxiously anticipate what is at the front of the line. I stand on my tiptoes to see above the familiar head in front of me and poke my head around the familiar shoulder. I look behind me and see hundreds of faces staring straight ahead at me. And then I realize that all along, I am at the front of the line, and that the only person standing in the way of myself is me. All of the other mes are my projections, my doubts, my fears, my insecurities, my complacencies. I refuse to allow the greatness of a dream lead me to fear and doubt. Instead, I am choosing to let the greatness of a dream lead me to faith.

Let it be known that this is the day I finally had faith in a greater calling and in myself  to determinedly pursue a thru-hike of the AT in the summer of 2018.

Isn’t it ironic that while there are always going to be external obstacles in our life, our biggest obstacle is ourselves?

The good news is that while we have little control over the things around us, just as we will have little to no control on the AT, we have control over ourselves. It is up to us to realize that we have the freedom to choose and have faith in ourselves. My challenge to you is that you will choose to have faith in yourself and what you are feeling called to do.

Thank you again for following along, and I hope this may have resonated with those of you who are presently going through the struggle of allowing yourself to pursue your dreams.

If you continue to follow my journey, you can expect more transparent posts like this one, as well as what I am doing practically, physically, mentally, and spiritually to prepare for my 2018 AT NOBO thru-hike.

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Comments 4

  • Barb Abney : Jan 27th

    Nice to meet you Khalil. You so eloquently express what I feel. Starting end of March but flip-flopping in July when I head to Maine so maybe we will meet in the middle!

    Reply
  • Trail Ramsey : Jan 29th

    What a great line, “I increasingly feel that I have too much of what I think I want and not enough of what I know I need.”! Looking forward to following your progress. Best of luck!

    Reply
  • Sam Valentine : Feb 6th

    Proud of you kid! Keep writing, keep dreaming, keep walking.

    Reply
  • Sandy Valentine : Jun 8th

    One step at a time Khalil! The Valentine family looks forward to providing you some great trail magic when you get to New England.

    Reply

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