I usually put on my headphones and hit the treadmill at 24 Hour Fitness or a trail leading up to the top of a local mountain. Today was different.
This time, I put my headphones on and began to walk with my dogs up a hill headed for the top of one of my favorite new spots in northern San Diego. As I walked, I could not help but think that I wanted to hear my own footsteps. I took off my headphones and tuned in to something on a whole new level.
Suddenly, I could hear the crunch under my feet. I could feel my soul and my soles connecting to the earth. It was the sound of my feet carrying me forward, onward, upward toward my goal -- reaching the top. I tuned in to my inner voice and began to feel inspiration come over me.
I realized that this was all a metaphor for my life. Climbing a mountain physically is not that much different than climbing emotional mountains or overcoming obstacles in our life that come in all shapes and sizes. If we are listening to someone else's music, how can we hear the beat of our own heart, our own drum, our own feet carrying us forward?
Don't get me wrong, I love music. But in order for us to listen to our inner voice and open up space in our mind, heart, and soul, we have to be willing to turn off the outside world for a minute and get connected to ourselves.
I made it to the top of the mountain, looked all around at the incredible view, and realized that the climb was a small part of the entire experience. Life is so much more about what you gain along the way, the messages and inspiration you get, then it is about just reaching the top.
Having a goal is a big key to resiliency. But don't forget that along the way you need to tune in to all the amazingness around you, connect with your inner voice and take time out to appreciate the simplicity that is in the sound of the earth beneath your feet as you take step after step forward on your way to the top.
Try my feel-good post-mountain climb veggie smoothie:
1 cup organic kale
1 cup organic broccoli crowns
1/2 cup organic carrots (shredded)
1 cup organic fresh spinach
2 cup vanilla almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein
2 tbs organic peanut butter
2 tbs organic agave
1/2 cup ice
Blend, pour, enjoy!
For more by Michelle Renee, click here.
For more on emotional wellness, click here.