Finding our Joy - Pt. 1
Do you have a cool hat and some glasses at hand? It may get hot or cold, and it’s also time for some new prescriptions for our glasses on Finding Joy.
This blog is in a 3-part series on the exploration and adventure of Finding Joy. This exploration is a hands-on application to finding joy.
One of the reasons why I love going for a hike is because I get to find little treasures along the way. Jimmy, my husband, introduced me to hiking back in 2009. I had confused hiking with mountain climbing, so I hesitated when he wanted to go hiking for our weekend dates.
We started with small hikes with amazing rewards.
Going on short hikes was brilliant on his part because it was an accessible introduction with magical places to explore. My first hike was Mount Moses on Staten Island, and it was less than 20 minutes until we got to the highest part, where I could see New Jersey from a distance.
Wow! this is magical!
As you know from the previous blog, I love sunsets! This hike was a reward for sure, and I was looking forward to the next one. “What’s next, Zito!” I wanted more. Then he took me on hikes from 45 minutes to an hour, to two hours, to then hikes with a total of 4 hours plus in real mountains.
Hill by hill, sunset by sunset
This process was rewarding and exciting for me. I watched Jimmy explore trails ways that led to some fantastic views. And of course, this was with lots of screaming, “wait for me!” I witnessed Jimmy looking and searching for ways to see little treasures on the long hikes.
So today, I invite you to google or ask someone who loves to hike on a local or nearby trail. If you’re in a city, choose to go during sunrise or sunset to add more magic.
Find something new; if you’re going to a trail you already like, turn left on the path instead of right. Please tell me what you find in the comments below. I’m going to be doing the same this week.
Fall is around the corner.
We’re starting small; let it be a place no longer than 20 minutes from your home. Heck, if there are no parks near you. Park a little further from your job or local supermarket. The invitation is to start the exploration. Take a detour! Find a new way.
Ready to continue finding joy? Click here for part 2. Leave a comment below and share this blog with a friend. Who knows, maybe this friend can be your explorer buddy this Fall.
Love,
Me.
