My oldest son and I were hiking recently in Sedona, Arizona. We were on portions of the Baldwin and Templeton Trails, adjacent to Oak Creek, eventually ascending to the amazing Cathedral Rock formation.
After working our way up and over the Mars-like terrain, we made it to the top. You can’t miss a simple engraved wooden sign bolted to a post that says: END OF TRAIL. I decided to snap a picture. The beautiful deep blue skies above the Arizona desert were my backdrop, along with the famous red rocks of Sedona. The view was truly amazing.
The words on the sign – end of trail – got me thinking. Sure, I was at the literal end of a hiking path with a sign stating the obvious. But isn't life a lot like this, too? How many times have you been told, overtly or perhaps subtly implied, that a well-worn and safe path is coming to an end? What really matters is what you choose to do next.
I posted the picture on LinkedIn with a question, “Now what?” Some friends on social media, supported by a few inspiring quotes, helped answer the question:
Onward and upward! The path may become more difficult and the terrain tougher. Perhaps we even have to blaze our own trail where one doesn’t exist.
Henry Ford: Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward.
Now the fun begins… Did your trail really end just because someone said it did, or are things just getting good?
Toby Keith: If you play by the rules you’re going to miss all the fun.
Sit for a moment and enjoy the view. The older I get the more I realize life is about the journey, not just the destination.
Michael York: I think that you have to believe in your destiny; that you will succeed, you will meet a lot of rejection and it is not always a straight path, there will be detours - so enjoy the view.
Make your own trail! Don't wait on someone else to tell you what happens next. Find the courage to blaze your own path.
Ralph Waldo Emerson: Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
What’s The Risk?
The risk is in letting someone or something else determine your destiny. Every day we are bombarded with messages telling us our trail is ending.
The great thing is that you can decide what happens next. You can throw in the towel, resigned to the fact that "it wasn't meant to be." You can listen to everyone telling you that you've reached your potential and the chance of failure is just too great to press ahead.
Or, you can choose to:
- Be positive and appreciate that the challenges just mean you've just finished another course toward your PhD in “Life Happens.”
- Have a little fun, perhaps breaking a rule or two along the way, while realizing you shouldn’t take yourself too seriously.
- Live in the moment, soaking it all in, as you enjoy the view.
- Create your own path, likely one that can be used by others unable to make their own.
As Louis L’ Amour wrote, “The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you’ll miss all you are traveling for.” Now what?
