Hiking Log – Log Book

Hiking Log – Log Book

This is part 31 of excerpts from the trail log which was located on a New York portion of the Appalachian trail. For the post which explains this series, click here.  You can read all the previous hiking posts by clicking here.

Each new edition includes a quote from a hiker, along with this writer’s insight into what the person might have meant. Your interpretation may be different!

Following is my selection of this week’s thoughts of a hiker(s).

7-10-18

Thankful that this log book has not been destroyed by day hikers.

For some reason, many of the blogs, posts and comments I’ve been reading on various web sites lately seem to be focused on being present. Basically, instead of thinking about the past and mulling over decisions we’ve made or actions we’ve already taken we should think about what’s going on now. And instead of worrying about the future, we should embrace what is right in front of us.

When we truly focus on this moment in time, right now, one of the outcomes can be that we become grateful. Or perhaps it’s the other way around. If we focus on being thankful for those things we have right now, we are better able to enjoy the current moment.

What difference does any of this make? Well, if we are thankful for the things we have, we can become happier and more joyful. If we are those things, then our life is much more satisfying. And isn’t that what we all want? To enjoy our lives?

This particular hiker was on the trail in mid-July. The day he wrote in this log, it was 90 and sunny. Knowing the area, I assume it was probably muggy and buggy. Our hiker was most likely tired, hot and sweaty. Perhaps he was one of the hikers who slipped on the rocks that morning. Maybe he had a long way left to go before he stopped for the night.

But when he picked up the log book and pen and sat down to write a few thoughts, he must have been totally present. Maybe he sat under the trees, thankful for the shade. Perhaps a breeze ruffled his hair (if he had any!). And maybe he read through the writings in the book up to the blank page in front of him. And then he decided, out of all the possible topics, that he was going to write about something in his present, the trail log.

So he shared that he was thankful the trail log was still there. I am grateful as well.

Until next time, happy trails!