Sunday, July 3, 2016
Stop ignoring, suppressing and avoiding. Feel it.
This piece from Elle Luna is what it's all about, folks. It's easy to keep avoiding, masking, ignoring and suppressing all the things we don't want to feel in the moment. But if we don't allow ourselves to move through them, all sorts of things get stuck in our bodies. These emotions that we neglect to feel causes blocks, illness and more problems. This keeps us from doing what we were put on this earth to do! And we just can't accept that. Give yourself and others permission to feel- to cry, to be angry, to be sad, to be blissfully happy.
Feel it. Feel all of it.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Flow with the River
Letting go of any preconceived ideas of what your life should look like is rather hard. We grow up forming a beautiful picture of what life will look like when we are 25, 30, 49.... What we will have accomplished by then, what kind of job we will have and what our living arrangements will be. We will know what political party to vote for and attend church regularly. We will have our life in order that's for damn sure by the time we are 26. We spend years building our ideal life. Some of us measure it out in coffee spoons- detail after detail. However I was reminded today that it's good to let all of that go from time to time. Trust the process. It's ok if you are 30 and aren't married. It's ok if you lack one college credit before you can be an official grad. It's ok if you identify as a republican and but secretly like Obama. And it is completely fine to feel lost and helpless. It's time to let go and flow with the river of life. Be easy on yourself.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Trail Update: Hikers are back in Tennessee
The East Tennessee tribe is home! We got off trail in Virginia at McAfee Knob with plans to complete the remaining section of the Appalachian Trail later in the Spring. Dad’s medicine was freezing and it was just too dang cold to get up in the mornings. So for now I will consider 1, 400+ miles on the AT an impressive achievement!
I sat down to write a post about our 4 month journey and how it feels to be off the trail. Although, I still can’t put into words what it's like to travel over a thousand miles on foot with everything you need to survive on your back. Plus, what it’s like hiking with family!
All I can say is that I am changed. In many ways, I am changed. I no longer look at the sky the same or the mountains the same. I even look at people differently. I feel connected to earth and long to wake up with the sun. I believe in living sustainable more than ever now. The earth is precious and we need to take care of her. My dreams and passions seem to burn more. Life is too short to be unhappy. It really is true how people say that life experiences can shape and mold you.
Adjusting back to “normal life" gives me a bit of anxiety. It’s strange to imagine life without camp chores, sore ankles or counting miles. I know I will miss the A.T., especially the simplicity of trail life, but I am so excited to start a new adventure.
The Appalachian Trail will always have a piece of my heart. Thanks to everyone who made this trip great. I am forever grateful. I hope that our trip has inspired many others to branch out and take outdoor adventures!
Friday, September 19, 2014
Half Way Home!
Hi guys,
We passed the offical midpoint nearly 100 miles ago; however, it didn’t sink in until we reached Harpers Ferry and signed in at the Appalachian Trail Conservacy Headquarters. We each got our photo taken for the official ATC register and walked out feeling on top of the world.
Woo, what an adventure we are living! We are across the Mason-Dixon Line and more over half way to Georgia! Fourteen states down and four to go.
It feels good to be half way, but it feels even better to spend some much needed time with our family!
The McDermids and Adams took on Harpers Ferry, WV and Washington, DC this week! Oh, yes. It was an adventure all on its own. Big thanks to Stacey’s uncle Cecil for letting us crash at his place and making us feel at home.
Being in the South and knowing that we are so close to home is comforting and exciting. Our spirits are higher than ever. Our bodies are rested and feeling rejuvenated from the time off. We will be entering the Shenandoah National Forest tomorrow- something I've waited years to experience.
On a more serious note . . . Tuck has been treated for Lyme Disease. He contracted it through a tick bite on his chest and started showing symptoms about a week after the bite. We took him to an Urgent Care and sure enough, it was Lymes. Thankfully, it was still in the early stages. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery!
All for now. It’s way passed my bed time. Thanks for caring about our adventure.
Happy trails,
Amber