I don’t often read or quote the Bible anymore, but verses learned at a young age, like any other classic recitation, frequently pop into my mind unbidden to inform and motivate.
“Every place where you set your foot will be yours!”(Deuteronomy 12:24)
“I will give you every place where you set your foot.” (Joshua 1:3)
These words have pushed me to get out every day, to hike harder, farther – to persevere and claim.
My name is not Abraham or Moses or Joshua and though I would love to own a little postage stamp of this land (and my own four walls), I am perfectly aware this land has been deeded to someone else for decades.
But the health that rises up to meet me on the trail, the whole health; mind, soul, body? That I claim. And the beauty? All of it is given me-every place I set my foot. All is mine. Each and every gift of the hike. The gifts of putting one foot in front of another are numerous:
Inspiration
Insight into myself, and to others
Perseverance
Peace
Balance
Dopamine, Endorphins, Serotonin
Empathy
Independence
Resolution
Application
Stamina
Perspective
These are gifts the trail gives to me, and I must walk the length and breadth to claim the gifts. The best gifts are to be coveted, not out of greed, but out of wanting well; and if you are going to do to others as you would be done to and love your neighbor as you love yourself, shouldn’t you be about the business of loving yourself – taking care of yourself as much as you possibly can? Go ahead. Raise the bar. Claim your gifts from the trail.