be alone with yourself

 I traveled to Denver, CO last weekend.  While I was there I went on a short 1.5 mike walk.  Denver in February with no snow is rather interesting.  Everything is dead, but yet gorgeous in its own way.  You can see for miles due to the lack of trees.

Taking time to be alone with yourself is strangely therapeutic and calming.  

Your gloomy is my gorgeous.

It's 46 degrees and foggy.  The sky is overcast. The sun is nowhere to be seen.  Most people would postulate that this weather is inclement an unattractive.  The old me would stay inside on a day like this.  I used to call this weather "depressing."  I believe that these photos capture a different element of nature.

 Here, at Bald Mountain, I didn't see the fog or overcast skies as a negative aspect of my hike.  Rather, I saw serenity, beautiful leaves, and peacefulness.  The fog added an air of mystery, leaving the hiker wondering what lied ahead.  The low visibility made it rather exciting to hike.  I was never sure what I was going to come up against.

Choose to see the beauty in everything.  Get outside your comfort zone and think for yourself.  Go hiking on a foggy, rainy day.  

The photo above is one of my favorites.  The trail is well visualized at first. Then the dense fog sets in the back.

This little fort made out of sticks and logs was a little sinister.  I thought maybe the Blair Witch was here and out to get me.  I told my group I only had two Nutri-Grain bars to live off of.  Luckily we were able to find our way out with no problems.

I am calm in nature. But why?

National Geographic recognizes the Lava Store as one of the most unique places to have a gift shop.  This is a little hut, where artisans take dry lava and make jewelry.  It is located at the bottom Volcano Picaya in Guatemala, it took us an hour to hike up this volcano, but it was worth it. I bought a pair of earrings.  Pictured is my best friend Caroline.

Everyday we are overstimulated.  Work is hectic, and the work load increases.  We are constantly having to make decisions.  Some are big, others are small.  We are constantly thinking about what we are doing, what we are going to do, and what has already happened.  Some are anxious about the future, while others are still struggling with the past.  When I go for a hike, or travel to a new country, I feel happy and relaxed.   The past few weeks I began to ask myself why this is.  Then I realized, that when you are out in nature, there is nothing to worry about.  You can simply "be."  To simply be present in the moment is often times very difficult.  Work distracts you from your family, your family distracts you from work.  Life is filled with distractions. Television, social media, responsibilities, are all key factors in keeping our minds too busy.  We are so busy that we can't enjoy the moment.  The answer is out in the woods.  The less stimulation, the happier we are.  We give our brains permission to simply "be."  There are no billboards, no television, and no tempting fast food chains.  It's you and a trail.  The only thing you have to worry about is putting one foot in front of the other.  

Let's all take some time this week to practice being present in the moment.  We owe it to ourselves.

Sunset on top of one of the tallest Mayan ruins, approx. 900 A.D (Shit, that's old) Tikal, Guatemala

Mayan Ruins, Tikal, Guatemala

Mayan Ruins, Tikal, Guatemala

You Can Never Be Sad When You're Outside

Bloomer Park, MI

Sixteen degree weather is no excuse not to get outside and explore.  Our bodies are designed to adapt to the weather.  I mean, look at the people who scale Everest!  Hiking is addictive.  It doesn't matter what the weather is like, exploring trails, new or well known, is peaceful and relaxing.
I think I have discovered exactly why it is addicting to be in nature: You can't be sad when your outside.  It is literally impossible.  The serene trails serve as the perfect place to "recharge your batteries" after a long week, or during a stressful time.
This time of the year is very difficult for many, especially those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, a condition where people may feel sad or depressed during the winter.  I used to be of the mindset that the winter months were a time to go running on a  treadmill, or sign up for spinning classes.  While those are two legitimate, viable options, you need vitamin D.  You need exposure to sunlight.
The best thing I have done for myself so far this winter is getting outside my comfort zone.  I went to my local North Face and REI stores, learned how to dress myself for extreme conditions, learned what supplies I would need, then I went outside and I did it.  So far, it's been the best decision I have made in a long time.  I have met new people, and explored new parks.  Nothing but good has come of my travels and adventures.
Pictures are my best argument.  You cannot see temperature, you see beauty.
If you are looking for some relief from the short, winter days, I recommend getting outside.  It doesn't have to be a five mile hike, it could be a twenty minute walk.  Just get outside, you won't regret it.

Photo from a hike at Cranbrook.  About 16 degrees.  Absolutely beautiful.  

Another photo from Cranbrook.  Photo taken the same day as the photo above.  When you take in the beauty and forget about the elements, you are able to see exactly what you are missing out on by staying inside.

Serenity Saturday

More beautiful photos from my trip!  I got to go swimming in a hot spring (pictured above).  I was very excited to be able to travel to remote locations.  Who goes to Rio Dulce, Guatemala?  Nobody.  That's why I loved it.

Sunset from the hotel on the river.  Doesn't get any more relaxing than this.

Nature: The Best Gift You Were Never Given

I believe that everything happens for a reason.  It has taken me a long time to buy into that mentality. Christmas had come and passed in the blink of an eye.  I got everything I wanted, which consisted of camping gear, camping gear, and more camping gear.  I was excited, but anxious at the same time.  I only have a few friends who appreciate the outdoors the way I do. So I wasn't sure how many camping buddies I would have.

 My co worker and I decided to start off 2017 right by going on a New Year's Day hike.  It was originally supposed to be a snowshoe hike, but as you can see from my pictures, the snow melted.  Before the hike, my friend invited a few of her neighbors to come along.  They seemed nice and we got along well.  As I got to know them, I learned that they loved camping, hiking, and anything outdoors.  I was elated!  It is tough meeting new people now and days. To make matters worse, everyone seems to be noncommittal.  People make plans, then bail.  Or, they refuse to make plans at all unless they are in their comfort zone (there's that damn phrase again).  We hiked for hours, ate dinner, exchanged numbers, and now we have plans to go hiking Sunday.  What a blessing.  That New Year's Day hike ended up being an amazing experience.  The weather was perfect.  There was not a cloud in the sky, and it was about 38 degrees. I actually got hot.  I wish I would have started hiking, camping, and being an overall outdoors kind of a person at a younger age.  Every hike is so peaceful.  You have no idea where you are going half the time, but you know whatever lays ahead is going to bring peace and serenity.  It's cheaper than therapy, and arguably more effective.   And it is right in front you. Nature is all around you.  Funny how sometimes the best solution to your most complicated problems is right in front of you.  It has always been there, you just had to go looking for it. As a nurse, you get used to working holidays, especially New Year's.  This is the first year I can recall having an extremely peaceful start to the new year.  I made new friends, and I am looking forward to all the new adventures ahead.

I hiked at Island Lake State Park in Brighton, MI.  Absolutely beautiful day.  The weather could not have been better.

I may wander, but I am not lost

 This is one of the first pictures I took atop Volcano Agua, one of the many volcanos in Guatemala. It was breathtaking, to say the least. I experienced the pleasure of hiking up an active volcano, Volcano Picaya, while I was in Guatemala. Living in Michigan, I have traveled to Canada many times. I have also been been on a family vacation to Mexico. This was my first trip, though, to Central America. This was also my first major international trip. My best friend and I went to Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico in search of a unique adventure and some quality time. Those who are familiar with international travel will know that Americans are seldom found in Central America.
 It is a stereotypical trait that we (Americans) tend to flock to beaches and resorts, well within our comfort zone. In resorts, we know we are going to be well taken care of. We will be safe and comfortable. Everyday will be predictable. Normally, I enjoy predictable vacations. Vacations that have been well calculated and well planned, with every detail written out. I enjoy knowing every detail of every move I am about to make, because I won't accept anything less than an amazing, perfect, vacation in which nothing goes wrong. When I arrived in Guatemala, Caroline (my best friend) and I met up with out tour group as soon as we got to Antigua. I was very nervous and unsure of what was about to happen. I was definitely outside my comfort zone. Our group was extremely small, much smaller than the average tour group. I met a guy from Australia, and guy from England, and a girl from Germany. Everyone seemed very friendly, but I was still nervous. My mind was racing with the unknown. "What if I get the Zika virus? Will the food be any good? What if I get sick? What if my sunglasses break?" I better pack two pair of sunglasses. I knew broad details of our trip, but there were many optional activities, so I didn't have a great idea of what I was getting myself in to. One night, we were eating dinner on the river, Rio Dulce, Guatemala to be exact. Conversation got deep. I confessed to being a competitive person. One of my biggest weaknesses is constantly comparing myself to others. "My brother graduated with a 4.0 GPA. I only got a 3.94 GPA. Someone at work is catching on to things quicker than me, am I stupid?" I admitted to these internal thoughts. I admitted to being a calculated person who likes to overthink. The guy from England chimes in. "Life is too short," he says. "Don't compare yourself to others." Enjoy living in the moment, don't overthink things. Look at the unknown as an adventure, as opposed to allowing the unknown to fill you with anxiety. Then he said, "When you overthink you say to yourself things like, 'what if my sunglasses break? I better bring two!'" That is when it dawned on me, I needed to listen to his advice and take it. The rest of the trip was amazing. I didn't get sick (not that I cared), the food was amazing, and Caroline and I spent a lot of quality time together. So here's enjoying a worry free, amazing, adventurous, outside-of-the-comfort-zone 2017!
 This is me, standing below one of the many Mayan Ruins. It was an amazing experience. In Belize, I got to go snorkeling with nurse sharks, among many other animals. It was pretty amazing.
 Tumum, Mexico. More Mayan Ruins!