Growth and peace from trials


The picture of my foot that accompanies this post was taken a few years ago, just after I finished a hike along the Uintah Highline Trail in northern Utah. The hike with my nephew
Richard DeLong
 covered almost 70 miles in 4 days, with thousands of feet of vertical up and down through the High Uintah wilderness. It is spectacular, breathtaking country; but carrying a 30-pound pack through that kind of terrain is not as easy for a man in his 60s as it was when I was in my teens or 20s. And to boot, I had a case of esophagitis the second half that drained me.
But the sentiment attached to the photo is real and sincere. There is a wholesomeness, a refreshing that comes in strenuous activity that is a special reward. Maybe it's a "hiker's high" or a "Rocky Mountain High" - but it's very real to me.
Sometimes it's in the times of great duress that we feel the greatest peace, the greatest progress, the greatest growth. When we've been pushed to our limit, we sometimes find that our limit is further than we thought it was giong to be. I #GiveThanks for those times when I've learned and grown in spite of, because of, my challenges.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nature's secret maps

Image
  On a hike in the woods earlier this week, Bonnie and I noticed there were logs set across the trail now and then, probably for erosion control. But on closer inspection, we started to realize there were patterns on the logs, and on even CLOSER inspection, we started to realize that the patterns looked like trail maps! Clearly, we decided, they were secret messages for the highly observant hikers indicating the locations of spectacular secret ancient treasures!! Of course, it became necessary to follow the pattern of a couple of the secret maps. After some expert and exhaustive tracking, we excitedly came to the end where the spectacular secret ancient treasure would be, and found nothing... only this (see additional photos). Oh, wait...... I #GiveThanks for spectacular secret ancient treasures and the chance to discover them by following nature's carefully encoded maps.  
Read more

Napping in public

Image
  As I get older, a good snooze now and then is a joy and a blessing. I seem to want to enjoy that blessing more frequently! Not a thing wrong with that, especially in the circumstance shown in the first photo (thanks Matthew for the photo).... As I was in a meeting earlier today, watching those seated in front, I had some flashbacks that involved others, and perhaps myself, who struggled with the particular challenge of staying awake in that setting. I remember thinking in the past, "How rude - not a very good example for a leader to doze off in front of everyone." But later I learned how hard it can be to remain alert, when very early morning meetings and a demanding schedule can wear on your ability to endure. I guess I had to "be there" to fully appreciate the struggle. Years ago I remember reading a delightful essay by BYU English professor Richard Cracroft titled "On the Vicissitudes of Serving in the Bishopric" (such a memorable title!) in which he
Read more

Every Day is a Gift

Image
My father's mortal experience ended when I was 7 years old. He didn't get the privilege of seeing his five children mature and marry, and have children of their own, or feel the special joy of being a grandfather. I now have grandchildren the age that I was when he left us - a whole generation of extra time. So I #GiveThanks for the gift of one more day, a priceless ongoing sharing of joy.
Read more