Three Gentle Nudges

My soul has been craving to spend some time near the water, a time to just reflect on life and all that has been happening. When I reach that stressed flight mode it is usually to the water or the hills that I head.  Today I had a free afternoon and the sun was shining. Question was, should I go and stroll along the beach to be close to the water where the sounds of the waves allow me to still that inner voice or should I hike a trail, gain some elevation and find peace up high.

I decided a short trek up a steep trail that I hadn't done in over a year, would give me the closeness and views of the ocean that I craved and also some much needed exercise. The views of the ocean below as I hiked higher and higher were awesome and it felt good to be outdoors in nature.

The waves of the ocean like the waves in life

For some reason I ended up hiking up a different pathway and headed toward the summit instead of the look out over the bay. However, when the trail continued up and away from the water and into the trees, I decided to play it safe and head back down. I needed to be near the water, to hear the barking of the seal nearby and to see the sun reflecting off the water. Besides, there is so much wildlife around and seeing I had not brought my bear spray I felt it better to stay out in the open.

A calming water brings peacefulness

I have never been great on making decisions or changes in my life but for the past ten or twelve years I have relied on gentle nudgings from our creator to guide me. Always needing firm advice I have waited for three nudgings before making up my mind. These decisions have always been things that I have wanted but have wondered and been very hesitant about making them.



Somethings and words in life have sharp, pointed edges

These  past few weeks have been trying and filled with frustration and also sadness. Today I as I hiked I pondered all the events that had happened of late. As I turned to head back down, and stood looking out over the water it dawned on me that I had been given three nudgings, and not the usual gentle ones. This time it wasn't that I had asked the question or wanted the information but here it was staring me in the face over and over again. An honest conversation, the retirement of a colleague and the death of a loving friend each bringing regrets into my life. These nudgings clearly said that I need to make at attitude adjustment, and I needed to do it now. It will take energy and committment but I know it needs to be done and it's quite possible. Being positive about life's challenges is how we all need to journey through our days.

Light reflecting in "realization"

Coming back down I decided to go back the way I had in the past only the trail looked so different that I hiked up and down a few times before finally making the right decision in getting on the other trail heading home.

Journeying through or under the "lows" in life

It was a good hike, an easy short climb that I turned into a loop, and I returned feeling refreshed. Being out in nature is so important for our spiritual  and mental health. It connects us and grounds us, bringing so much good into our lives. Even though today's moment of "ah, I get it" wasn't exactly what I had headed up the hill for, it was needed and for that I am ever thankful.