Amy and I got back recently from our 5 year anniversary trip from Estes Park/Fort Collins, Colorado and it was a blast!
I kept telling close friends that I had a feeling something big was going to happen, and to ensure this I meditated every day and night, kept my physical and spiritual eyes open, looking for lessons and whispers of how I am supposed to continue on my journey.
I'm glad to say I got quite a few messages back :)
We hiked one day starting out at 5AM...yup. That early. I was extremely tired getting going even though at heart I'm an early bird. We got to the beginning of the Emerald Lake hike around 5:30/5:45 and it was still quite sun-less at the time. Thoroughout the hike I kept my eyes to the trail to make sure I was stepping in the right direction, but I really wanted to stop and look around at the majestic mountains around. I felt pushed by the trail pack to keep going, don't stop, keep walking, etc.
It was great along this hike because this early everyone is still quite tired and within their own thoughts - I sure was.
I thought to myself, "Why am I not stopping and seeing the beauty around me? Who is really making myself push forward and keep with the pack?" ...me.
I began veering away from the pack and making stops along the way, taking pictures with my phone but also with my eyes. Eye-pictures are the best. If you don't know what I mean watch The Secret Life of Walter Mitty; you'll know what I mean after watching that flick.
In the moments we took to stop and look the initial reaction out of most of us was silence--it was great. To take in that much natural beauty I stop in revered silence and respect out of how gorgeous it was.
We in life need to keep on the path, on the journey of what we are deciding to do. Taking the right steps, making the right connections, moving the right way for us, eating the right way, speaking lovingly to ourselves and others, etc.
...but if we don't take the time to stop and look at the progress we've done, how beautiful life is around us, we miss the big picture. We miss what is really important and right in front of us because we are so focused on the "path" we need to follow, the "trail" we need to keep on.
So stop and look around; you'll be amazed if you really take the time and breathe in the beauty around you.