The Hike

I believe there’s great beauty in feeling lost. But there’s even greater beauty in the comfort of knowing that there are others who feel lost too.

Feeling lost brings people together. It connects us, it brings us back to earth, it reminds us that we’re human. We don’t have all the answers, we make mistakes, and we learn. I don’t know about you, but nothing gives me greater comfort than knowing that there are people out there who can relate to how I’m feeling. Knowing that there are people who have been there and have lived with those feelings for far longer than I have.

Here’s the thing: you’re allowed to feel lost. Life isn’t about getting to the top of the mountain and knowing all the answers. It’s about continuously finding the strength to make the hike. You’ll take a few paths you don’t recognize, you’ll find yourself in places that are harder to trek through than others, but at the end of the day, the view you see when you’re at the high point will make everything you’ve gone through so worth it.

I don’t know what I’m doing with my life. I don’t know if I’ll ever really know, but I do know that I am content with the path that I am currently on. I am content with this part of the mountain that I have found myself hiking up. But do you know what makes it even better? Knowing that I have people who are trailing behind me; people who have crossed the same path; people who feel the same way I do. People make all the difference. The bottom line is this: they won’t remember what you wore, what you said, how good you were at what you do, what job title you have, the list goes on and on. What they will remember is how you made them feel. They’ll think of you and remember how nice it felt to have a conversation with you. They may not even remember what the conversation was about, but they’ll remember the good feelings that came of it. People want to feel good. They want to feel important, valued, talented, trusted, beautiful, etc. Be the type of person who makes everyone who leaves them feel a little bit lighter, a little bit happier, and a whole lot of good. Surround yourself with these people too.

We’re all hiking our own mountains. We’re all a little lost, all reaching for that perfect view at the top. Take a look around for a second. Find the perfection in what you’re looking at now. This path you’re on is just one more mile closer to who you’re becoming. Celebrate this path; celebrate who you are today.

Hold onto the good people. Hold onto the ones who celebrate every tiny victory. Hold onto the ones who are hiking this path with you. Help each other. Encourage each other. There’s room for all of us to enjoy the view at the top.

I’ll help you get there if you’ll help me.