"On the first hike, about half-way up the mountain, I reached a point where the path was too slippery, steep and scary. Even though my wonderful guide talked me through the tough parts, I finally realized I'd have to do the same thing going back downhill. So, I stopped. I sat on a moss covered rock. I enjoyed the forest flowers and tree bark and birds and ferns and more."
"I'm likely older than (some) travelers who go on that expedition and, as I said, I'm in no way a typical outdoorsy hiking type. Yet, the trip was much about hiking, and we did plenty, in four completely different ecosystems in Tierra del Fuego alone. And I realized I was happy with what I did, since I really (at my age) have nothing to prove."
A trip to Tierra del Fuego in Patagonia provided unexpected lessons for someone who doesn't consider themselves outdoorsy. During a challenging hike, the traveler reached a point too steep and slippery to continue safely. Rather than pushing forward, she stopped to observe the forest, flowers, birds, and ferns while conversing with her guide. This moment revealed a profound realization: at her age, she has nothing to prove. This acceptance transformed the remaining hikes into joyful experiences. The expedition demonstrated that the outdoors offer valuable insights regardless of one's typical lifestyle, and that self-discovery often occurs when least expected, through simple moments of observation and acceptance.
Read at Psychology Today
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