Journey to Half Dome - Yosemite (Part 1)

Who know when the invitation for six individual women to hike Half Dome arrived what each individual's experience would hold.

Years ago two of my friends and I went to the Kartchner Caverns in Arizona and it was enlightening to me to later discover that all of our experiences had been different. Chris, being a woman of science had a very scientific experience. Teddy, had just come along to accompany us and his experience was one of enjoying the moment of it all. While I had a very spiritual encounter.

That was the invitation the mountain held for us. She beckoned, "Will you come, without any judgments or expectations and embrace all that I have to offer?"

So six courageous women... different ages... different walks of life... and different life experiences all came together for a not yet known... pilgrimage to be Embraced by the Breath of God, as one put it.

Of course, starting off it was simply an adventure... a personal challenge for each... I can do it... I WILL DO IT!! Twenty miles round trip... we started at the trail head at 5AM and returned to the car at 9PM! Eight miles... straight up with a 4,800 foot elevation gain made the trek... what's a word that means more than challenging? Oh... HELLA HARD!!!!!

Now of course,  had I been training like my GI-Jane friend had be encouraging, perhaps it would have not been quite so tough. So while I was walking everyday, I just couldn't get motivated to climb stairs and do pushups! Sorry...  I wish I was... I really wish I was! But, I rationalized,  I've hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu  (watch the video) and Waynapichui (watch the video) in Peru and while it nearly killed me... I did it! So, I was confident that I could do this too!

Because of my Peruvian experience, the heat, humidity and high altitude, I knew that I wasn't going to carry ANYTHING in my backpack!! Then for sure I could do it! Oh.... except for the gallon of water and food GI Jane insisted I pack along! Holy Crap! In Peru I ended up, just like Hansel and Gretel, leaving everything in my pack along the side of the trail, trusting that someone would come along and exclaim, "Wow! Just what I need!" (To Be Continued)

Happy Trails!

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

 Several years ago I accompanied my son to Peru where we hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

(www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6DULNriI8g
And you can read about this adventure in my latest book, A Year in a Suitcase, available on evolvetolive.com.)

After nearly escaping with my life (too old… out of shape… late start in the day...) I was beyond exhausted when we got back to our room for the night.

My son was the only one in the group who wanted to hike Wayna Picchu the next morning. (Taller mountain in the back).

It seemed like a feat that was simply out of the question for myself. But when I asked the guide if she thought that I could make it, she said something to me that I remember vividly to this day; ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! I've come to really appreciate those three words in my life.

Yes… anything is possible and with her kind words, I got up the next morning at four and made it to the top! Why… because ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

So that brings me to the present day in my life. I decided to run a triathlon. Seems crazy, but its a baby one and it will give me a reason to make conscious choices each day about my health. Come and join us! Evolve to Live is going to have a team. May 6 and 7th 2016  in Sahuarita, AZ!

VISION, GOALS AND PASSION FOR LIVING

"I remember nearly ten years ago, you said to me, You have to set some goals for yourself and I'll set the first one. You have to create a space to call home and it can't be your job!" I say to my long time friend over beer.

When Life Happened to me, goal setting gave me direction. Even now I see the importance of setting goals for myself. If you don't have a goal there is nothing to strive for. 

I hiked the Inca trail in Peru with my son who had a goal to hike Wayna Picchu, a 9,000 foot tall mountain that sits behind Machu Picchu. Although not an easy thing to do, I too hiked to the top as well. When I got there I remember clearly thinking, "If you know what Waynu Picchu is in your life, you can get it!

But I've decided that setting goals is the easy part. Having the vision and clarity for what it is one wants to manifest or create in their lives is a bit more challenging. 

In the movie, Chasing Mavericks, a true story of a young man knowing what he wanted, to surf Maverick, Jake had a vision and with help from his mentor Frosty, set daily goals in order to attain his dream.

It is easy to get caught up in the everyday routine of really nothing. Even in retirement, I've witnessed that we can be happy with a walk, golfing and happy hour. While good, there is more! We were all created with a passion for something to share with the world! What is it? The possibilities are limitless. Once we have the vision, we can reach the goal, simply by taking many baby steps forward. But with a goal, they're all pointed in the same direction! 

And now my friend, you are living a life full of joy and passion!