The Next 20

An old, familiar trail welcomed me back on this day. I have not hiked here in a while for a few reasons. 1) It's become a very popular trail (which means more people) 2) The parking lot is almost always packed to capacity and 3) there is no running water along the pathway and during the summer, Jazzy just gets way too hot. (She's big, furry and black)

Today, however, it's just past 4pm and a few parking spaces have opened up. On my way home from work, Jazzy is resting (well, most likely) at home and I am able to visit this mountain, which is one of my favorites (I say that about all spots I frequent. They are all favorites, of course).

The sky is filled with bright colors. Hang gliders descend gracefully with their silent, brilliantly adorned sails. Many come to watch and it's a nice added benefit of this particular location. They are very beautiful and it's calming to watch their flight. I, however, prefer my feet firmly on the trail, thank you very much :)

This spot has an official name, but I call it Ebony's Mountain. The best hiking dog ever, Ebony, accompanied me up and down this trail for years. It was her special trail and when she passed, I gently carried her ashes and spread them joyfully along our route. This mountain is also where "Trails of Balance" was born. There is such a powerful energy here and I am never disappointed.

The climb is steep and hot and relentless. One foot in front of the other, just keep moving. I'm reminded that although my walks with Jazzy are stunning and restorative, the uphill challenge is something I don't do enough of. With all of my concentration directed toward staying upright and alive and moving, there's not much room for listening. Any insights or guidance will have to wait until I can comfortably breath again.

The view from the top is always different, always inspiring and always leaves me speechless. I've come to this landing many times and while there may be many people, we are often silent (catching our breath) and absorbing how wonderous this moment is.

I stand in the slight breeze, cooling down my body temperature and admiring the zooming antics of so many dragonflies. It's magical, as usual.

Rejuvenated and with heart rate normalizing, I start back down. They begin. The thoughts, the downloads, the contemplations and the offerings of wisdom and clarity. I think about my friend who is planning to go away for her birthday. She wants to do something special and I agree that she absolutely should! Then, the prompt comes in very softly..."What about your birthday"?

I'd not given my birthday much thought. It's 5 months away, but it's a decade turner for me and I've rarely made a special deal out of my birthday. Why not? Well, that's a very good question and the possibility of changing this pattern is intriguing. Just a number, yes, but numbers are important and relevant. As ideas speed down this track, I get more excited about the significance and the opportunities available. Not just another birthday...a beginning.

How do I want to set up the next 20 years of my life? What do I want them to look like? Is now the time to move toward the vision of life I desire? To step into more joy, shine more light and tap into more creativity. I get to choose, don't I? We all do and I can set these gifts in motion anytime, not just my birthday. I fan the flames and the "conversation" roles along with encouragement and action plans to bring my best self forward.

I can be the success story or fall down in defeat. I can look up and reach for greatness or sit on my couch of comfort. The choice is always mine to make.

When you contribute, step into your higher good and grow in love toward yourself and others, you are reflecting the face of God, Source, All. My job is to strap on those wings and fly, just like the hang gliders. To soar calmly and with beauty and remind others to look up. We can all shine and move in the direction of our dreams and help our friends, family members and neighbors find their own light along the way. Be the example, the inspiration, the possibility.

I could barely catch my breath on the way to the top and there was much struggle and effort and thoughts of uncertainty. I was never alone, though, and the mountain never doubted. The journey was well worth it as I gaze at the view from the top. May your next 20 years exceed your imagination. May reality surprise and astound and push you further than you thought possible. You don't have to wait for your birthday to start planning. Start now, begin today.

Find your answers on the trail. Find your answers within. Spirit wants to shine and will guide and direct you toward your wings. All you have to do is move in that direction, listen and remember to look up once in a while.

Happy flying!