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SLOW
AND STEADY WINS THE RACE
What race? Well not a race really . Movement towards
your goal. Hiking alone up St. Mary's Peak outside the town of
Stevensville, MT, distance from trailhead 4.5 miles, gain in elevation
2500', I kept hearing myself say, slow and steady wins the race.
I hike. I rest.
I hike. I rest.
I keep envisioning myself emerging into the opening
that indicated I had made it to the top. I imagine what it would feel like
in my body when I stop on the top and looked out into Idaho. I see myself
happy, expanded, pleased with my efforts.
I hike. I rest.
There is a forest fire raging at a neighboring
mountain. The smoke is pouring up into the air. I notice I am wondering
how far sparks fly. Could a spark land all the way over here?
What if it did and the mountain I am on caught fire? Would I know what to
do?
I shift my focus because I am scaring myself. I
imagine my destination. I remember what my friend told me about the view
into Idaho. I keep walking.
Slowly, steadily I hike. One step at a time.
Stopping to rest, to take in my surroundings, to listen.
I tell myself, "I am the tortoise." I
remind myself that the tortoise won the race. I can do this. One step at a
time.
There is beauty to take in. The view of the
Bitterroot when I can see it. Dead trees which I love. Nature's
sculptures. I run into a grouse and her babies.
I finally make it past the tree line. I have
imagined I will be close to the ranger station. I find I am not! It is
much further. I can hardly see it.
I am tired. I am disappointed. I notice I am having
an inner conversation about turning back. I've made it this far and that's
great. I don't have to prove anything. Beside, it's hazy, and the view
into Idaho won't be that great.
I reread the description of the trail. The author of
the book I am using describes the rest of the trip up as 'torturous, with
intense switch backs.' I wonder where my brain was when I read the
description back in the cottage?
I sit down. I rest. I wonder if I have it in me to
keep going.
I consider what I will feel like tomorrow if I turn
around now.
I get up. I begin to hike again.
I make it to the top.
Time to take in my accomplishment. Pause - take in
the vista - look out into Idaho - look back into the Bitterroot Valley.
Ahhhh.
I did it!
Celebration time. Photos, water, lunch.
Rested and renewed I set my sites on a new goal.
The car!
QUOTES
"Slow and Steady wins the race."
~ Aesop ~
PRACTICALLY SPEAKING
- Where are you going?
- Have a clear vision of your outcome.
- Know what you really want.
- Take action.
- One step at at a time.
- Doubt will creep in. Things happen to get you off
track.
- Keep going.
- Celebrate your success.
- Set a new goal.
For more info on taking action to reach your goals
visit our Living by Design
article series.
WONDER QUESTIONS:
Are you willing to take action on your dreams?
QUICK LINKS:
COPYRIGHT/CONTACT INFO/REPRINT PERMISSION
Copyright 2006 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design
Visit this link for contact information:
leslie@living-bydesign.com
Reprint permission granted in part or whole when the following credit appears in full:
Copyright 2006 by Leslie Karen Sann,
Living by Design.All rights reserved.
Web site. http://www.living-bydesign.com
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