Life is like sugar.

“Life is like sugar. It can crumble so easily, but don’t be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it.” 

Sarah Kay, Poet

 

Before leaving for the hike, your pack is far heavier than it needs to be. No matter how many times you are told before you embark to shed the heavy percolator and the books you’ve packed, you hold on to them. Something inside you knows you need to hang on just a little bit longer.

On the trail, and in life, the pack is even heavier as you ascend up the mountains you have so longingly been wanting to climb for weeks, months, maybe even years. You learn you can’t carry the extra weight no matter how badly you want to hold onto those items.

On the trail, and in life, you learn to shed what you have been carrying that you never needed in the first place. You feel so light once it is gone. You wonder later who that person was that chose to bear such an unnecessary burden.

On the trail, and in life, some days hurt and you can’t remember why you started. Other days, your lungs are full of mountain air, the trees are swaying in sync with your breath and you can’t fathom ever returning to real life. The trail IS your life…

On the trail, and in life, you take solace in the fact that others have chosen a similar path to you. You’re all sailing around the vast ocean in an unnamed boat with no captain, but everyone seems just jolly in anticipation for the unknown.

On the trail, and in life, you know that the three most important phrases are 1) Please 2) Thank you  and 3) I love you. Words become more important than items. They always have been more important than items,  but you needed the reminder.

 

I think hiking is like sugar too, so very very sweet.