Vitamin Choose

I like to hike. No, I love to hike. The thrill of the journey almost (but not quite) outweighs the glory of attaining the summit, breathless and sore, and surveying the panorama that greets me from the top. And so, as I lay in bed the other morning and attempted to muster up the gumption to enjoy a day ahead that would be fraught with obstacles, hiking provided a natural analogy for my mental dialog.

When I hike, I'm undertaking an inherently difficult task. Plodding uphill, mile after mile, on short rations of water and dry, starchy measures of food is nobody's idea of luxury. But it's my idea of adventure, and so I enjoy every part of the trail.

The low, boggy parts.

The moderate, sunny slopes.

The merciless hills.

And yes, even the boulders.

You see, this is where my deep thought began. As I hike, I encounter large obstacles in the form of stationary rocks. I scramble over some of them. I bushwhack my way around others. And still others have an actual trail built over or around them for ease of movement. But regardless of how I approach them, I understand that they're a part of my journey. These obstacles are really the joy of my adventure - and also the substance that makes up the bulk of the mountains I climb. Rocks and boulders serve a noble purpose in this hiker's mind, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Similarly, I'm understanding the new concept that approaching my life in this matter will prove helpful as well. Choosing to see each of the hurdles throughout my day -- screaming children, poopy diapers (or undies), a phone that rings off the hook, or simple setbacks to my day have all had the power to discourage me. But no longer! These things are what give character, focus, to my adventure! Shunning or complaining about them would be rejecting the very substance of my life. Instead, as my husband reminded me, I can choose to enjoy these moments rather than dread them. In fact, this choice is the easier of the two options, because it makes the rest of my life so much happier, too. A grumpy hiker travels twice the distance in twice the time because her attitude makes the journey unbearable, but a cheerful hiker loves every moment of her adventure-filled trek.

So today, right now, I'm choosing to be that cheerful hiker. It's corny, I know - but it helps me. I'm choosing my own adventure - and it's going to be filled with joy.