Where Does the Time Go?

This dream began some 23 years ago, but why it has never manifested itself into a reality has been due to going through these motions that I feel we are programmed to do. I would dream about it sitting behind some screen or acquiring things I thought I needed and sometimes speak it out loud, but I blinked and it is some 20 years had past… life went on and the disconnect from nature grew too great and the dream started to look like a reality. I had finally committed to the dream and started to make the plan to make it real. I gave my 3 months notice and blinked again and was 2 weeks out from the trip. I planned, packed and caught up with everyone I could. I blinked again and and here in Georgia about to start the journey and the dream of a lifetime.

I could not have done this without the family and friends that have been so supportive and loving in support of this dream. The beauty of this was meeting up with these people before I left and sharing a moment with them. The struggle was to realize that is was more of a see you later and not a good bye, but the flip side of that was maybe in some aspect it was good bye as the person that comes back is not the person that left in some aspects… The other beauty in these moments was to vocalize my love for these people and hug them with every fiber of my fabric.

In saying these ‘see you laters’ and ‘goodbyes’ I started to think 5-6 months is a long time, but reflected on the speed at which time and life had passed before this dream came to fruition… I then realized that I need to savor this journey, the good and the bad, for these months will pass faster than I would like and I will be looking back on them as memories. One of my biggest goals in this realization is to be mindful and in the moment and bring this perspective back with me! With that I give you my “I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail because…”

I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail because…

  • It has been a long time dream to hike the AT
  • I want to venture on a journey that is epic
  • To reset and get back to a more natural rhythm
  • To do something great for myself
  • To live in the moment and have those moments be in nature
  • I want to contemplate what is important
  • To hopefully break somewhat from the established program of life

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

  • Feel physically and mentally strong as hell
  • Have learned to live life at a different pace
  • Find what are the essentials in life
  • Simplify and become more mindful
  • Learn to live in the moment

If I give up on the Appalachian Trail, I will…

  • Either be injured or sick
  • If I give up due to mental weakness, I will be extremely disappointed in myself!
  • Hopefully have found the enlightenment I was looking for before Katahdin

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Comments 2

  • Bevil : Apr 10th

    Now that is one beautiful photograph, Sam. I’m an artist, and so are you and of course ‘Nature’ too. Have a wonderful hike.

    Reply
  • Lora : Apr 12th

    I’m not even sure why you made a section for “If I give up…” that really made me chuckle.

    Reply

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