HIKING

2 weeks ago I went on a 10 mile, 2 day hike in Wyoming with my brother's boy-scout troop! I hadn't been hiking in 8 months prior to this trip, and I was thrilled to be backpacking again! Nature is my way to connect to myself without distraction, it brings me peace and I feel closer to God. I love the feeling when you just want to give up and sit down and take a 10 minute break because you just went on a steep uphill with lots of boulders you had to step up on, and then just pushing forward anyways. I love seeing the trees dance in the wind and the day turn to night. I love the camp fire and sleeping on the ground, I love the wild and I can't wait until my next trip like this!

One thing that is helpful to remember when Hiking is that, It's all in the mind, you can tell yourself you can do this, and that your strong, or you can say that this is hard and that you suck at hiking. One way makes it much easier and happier to hike and the other makes it feel like a burden and something you never want to do again. Also remember to breathe, and breath correctly, and purposefully, It'll make the world of difference, when your going up a hard trail breathe deep, smooth and slow, instead of panting. It'll give you more energy, Also talk to the people you are with, get to know them better. You will be surprised at how much better you will get to know someone after you talk while on the trail, it is a place to be open and let yourself pour out into the souls and spirits around you.

Go do something adventurous! Don't be afraid of the unknown. Get out there and live!

with love, Arianna