Those unexpected, little “ah ha” moments are everywhere. Too bad we miss so many because we’re thinking about what we’ve yet to accomplished and everything else we still need to do. I know you know the feeling. Who doesn’t? But something happened a few weeks ago I can’t seem to stop thinking about. My sister decided to try one of the many hiking trails around The Overlook Inn near Fort Mountain State Park. There are literally hundreds of hiking paths. Only, the one she chose, is called “Robert’s Trail.” It’s named after the owner of Ellijay Cabin Rentals, Robert Coleman. He built the trail several years ago during a time of personal transition when Robert decided to give up smoking, a grueling work schedule and a diet so unhealthy it would likely stymie the common badger, an animal known to eat just about anything.
He created the trail with a dual purpose: to get exercise and encourage guests to take in all the natural beauty of the property. Check and check: both objectives beautifully achieved. Without question, the trail isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s strenuous, and that’s being generous. But then, that’s also just the physicality. Emotionally, it’s a different kind of workout. My sister described her journey as a “zen-like” experience.
The trail starts with a pagoda and a Geisha bench where you can momentarily pause and reflect. The trail is wide and easy to walk My sister described the sound of the wind dancing through the trees. And soon, the burbling coo of water rushing over the rocks in an adjacent creek joined in harmony. She then reached the first of the trail’s five hallmarks; each a water feature more spectacular than the last. But as you progress, so do the obstacles, making it a little more challenging to get to the next treasure.
The same is true in life, isn’t it? There are obstacles and uphill climbs. But if you persevere, there are also rewards. In this case, a more brilliant water feature and the better the trail. There are stepping-stones. The trail dips into a valley and then demands an upward climb. At any point, you can go back. But if you do, you miss something truly special that is unique to where you are standings at that particular moment.
Every day, I get up looking for answers. I guess it’s nice to be reminded that sometimes in the peace and quiet, the answers are there. Sometimes it takes stepping away from the familiar hum of an everyday routine to gain perspective on navigating the trail.
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