This past February I spent a weekend in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. Hands down one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
In February 2018, a good friend and mentor of mine, Pete, suggested that I go out in nature. I told Pete that I was at a point in my career, and quite frankly my life, where I felt that I had reached a point where I didn’t quite know what the next move was. I strive to the best of my God given ability to be the absolute best trainer I can possibly be for my AMAZING clients. Since my schedule with my clientele is full, I don’t need to chase after new clients. This presents a special opportunity.
I can spend my free time discovering who I am and what I am being called to do. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for to have this opportunity in my life.
I did listen to Pete. I took his advice and went out into nature. This led me to numerous beautiful places on our planet.
This story begins in Atlanta, Georgia.
It was a cold and cloudy Saturday in Atlanta. I had finished training with my final client for the week. My last client each week is Craig. Craig is an amazing person. I consider a dear friend of mine. He is filled with positivity, amazing advice, and he may be the best storyteller I know. I LOVE completing my week training and talking with Craig.
After Craig’s session I drove to a beautiful park forty-five minutes outside Atlanta. That first hike was at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs, Georgia. My life changing experience had begun.
After about 30 minutes of walking down a trail, I decided to head off the beaten path. My intuition told me to find a quite, secluded space away from the trail. It was important for me to be away from people. I found the perfect spot on this log. I sat there for about two hours. Tears, sorrow, and clarity ensured.
I asked God, “who am I”, and sat in silence. I couldn’t think about ANYTHING except for a heartbreaking tragedy that occured in my life a few years earlier. The thing is, I swept this devastating series of events under the rug. It became clear that If I was ever going to find happiness, I would need to open that wound.
Addressing this painstaking tragedy was emotionally draining. I learned that I will always live with what happened and there is no need to hide from the pain. I discovered being vulnerable and acknowledging the pain can lead to happiness. I found great peace coming face to face with this tragedy.
A method towards coping with this pain was spending time in nature. This led me to experience some of the most beautiful places on this planet. I would like to share with you some of the places I experienced over the past year. A life changing year.
The Chattahoochee National Forest in Northern Georgia
Amicalola Fall State Park, North Georgia
The Pacific Ocean in San Diego, California
The Himalayan Mountains and the trails of Samathra National Park, Nepal home to the tallest peak on earth Mount Everest and Mount Everest Base Camp.
Traveling to all these different places was one of the greatest gifts I could have ever given myself.
And of course Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah.
How did simply being present in nature give me peace, joy, and serenity? As someone who grew up thinking finding beauty in nature was ‘girly’ or ‘weak’ it was quite refreshing to see that viewpoint was completely wrong. Being vulnerable is the exact opposite. Opening up yourself makes you stronger. You receive confidence and unwavering faith. And to me, there is no greater gift to yourself. Thank you nature!