Adventure!
What comes to mind when you hear the word "adventure?" Do you imagine stunning vistas of lush green valleys and cloudy mountain-tops? How about soaring above the Mermaid Lagoon or cannonball infested skies of Neverland? Maybe an adventure for you is simply aimlessly wandering around Walmart with your best friend or picking out a risky new boxed hair dye.
Needless to say, as humans, we can fall into any spectrum of loving or loathing nex experiences and adventures. Sometimes, when the snow is falling and others are out making snow angels, we prefer to sit inside with our warm cup of tea and watch the flakes float slowly to the ground.
Recently, I had the opportunity to take an adventure. At an overnight work retreat, a friend turned to me and asked,
"What are you doing tomorrow morning at 5:20?"
"Sleeping, hopefully. Why"
She replied by explaining her plans to go on a morning sunrise hike at a neighboring campsite. Some of my other friends were joining her, and I thought, why not? So I went to bed that night, setting my alarm for 5:15.
The next morning was cold, to say the least, and to top that I was groggy and unprepared for what laid ahead. We took some cars and drove off to the trailhead, and by 5:45 we were on the trail. Soft mulch padded the path, and a light fog hung in the air. I took the opportunity to catch up with a couple of friends who I hadn't seen in a while, and in general, the hike was going pretty well.
That is until we got lost.
The trail came to a dead end as we walked up to private property. My friends, who had hiked the trail before, figured that we had made a wrong turn somewhere and that we needed to turn back.
As we approached the fork in the trail, the sky became brighter, and we began to worry if we would miss the sunrise. Eventually, we made it to the correct trail, and all seemed to be right again.
Then I realized that this was no normal hike. It was a mountain trail. Now, even though I enjoy a nice hike, I am not in the best of shape. I've hiked Ensign Peak in Salt Lake and the Y in Provo, but I won't say I've ever enjoyed the process of making it to the top. However, as I began to lose hope in making it to the end of this trail, my friends encouraged me, ensuring that the view at the top was worth it.
With fire in my bones (as well as my lungs at this point) I pushed on. The last leg was really not that bad. Finally, we made it to the top just as the sun was peaking over the mountaintops. It was a peaceful, serene morning, and we stayed atop the mountain for some time, taking in the fresh air and valley view.
Needless to say, as humans, we can fall into any spectrum of loving or loathing nex experiences and adventures. Sometimes, when the snow is falling and others are out making snow angels, we prefer to sit inside with our warm cup of tea and watch the flakes float slowly to the ground.
Recently, I had the opportunity to take an adventure. At an overnight work retreat, a friend turned to me and asked,
"What are you doing tomorrow morning at 5:20?"
"Sleeping, hopefully. Why"
She replied by explaining her plans to go on a morning sunrise hike at a neighboring campsite. Some of my other friends were joining her, and I thought, why not? So I went to bed that night, setting my alarm for 5:15.
The next morning was cold, to say the least, and to top that I was groggy and unprepared for what laid ahead. We took some cars and drove off to the trailhead, and by 5:45 we were on the trail. Soft mulch padded the path, and a light fog hung in the air. I took the opportunity to catch up with a couple of friends who I hadn't seen in a while, and in general, the hike was going pretty well.
That is until we got lost.
The trail came to a dead end as we walked up to private property. My friends, who had hiked the trail before, figured that we had made a wrong turn somewhere and that we needed to turn back.
As we approached the fork in the trail, the sky became brighter, and we began to worry if we would miss the sunrise. Eventually, we made it to the correct trail, and all seemed to be right again.
Then I realized that this was no normal hike. It was a mountain trail. Now, even though I enjoy a nice hike, I am not in the best of shape. I've hiked Ensign Peak in Salt Lake and the Y in Provo, but I won't say I've ever enjoyed the process of making it to the top. However, as I began to lose hope in making it to the end of this trail, my friends encouraged me, ensuring that the view at the top was worth it.
With fire in my bones (as well as my lungs at this point) I pushed on. The last leg was really not that bad. Finally, we made it to the top just as the sun was peaking over the mountaintops. It was a peaceful, serene morning, and we stayed atop the mountain for some time, taking in the fresh air and valley view.
So after that hike, I probably slept in my peaceful cabin for about 3 hours. However, despite everything that went wrong, I enjoyed the experience and learned a lot from the adventure that I had.
According to Merriam-Webster, and adventure is an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks. During this hike, I was never in any real danger, but there were a few unknown risks involved. We risked losing sleep, getting lost, and possibly trespassing, all for a gorgeous view of the mountains around us.
Similarly, we are all on an adventure in mortal life. Before we were born, we were encouraged to go on an adventure that would be full of danger and risk, but that would ultimately lead us to a joyful ending, surrounded by others whom we love.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said:
"There must have been parts of the mortal adventure that worried and even terrified [us] since a large number of of our spiritual brothers and sisters decided against it. By the gift and power of mortal agency, we determined that the potential of what we could learn and eternally become was well worth the risk. And so, trusting the promises and power of God and His Beloved Son, we accepted the challenge. . . We agreed to leave the security of our first estate and embark on our own great adventure of 'there and back again.'"
"There must have been parts of the mortal adventure that worried and even terrified [us] since a large number of of our spiritual brothers and sisters decided against it. By the gift and power of mortal agency, we determined that the potential of what we could learn and eternally become was well worth the risk. And so, trusting the promises and power of God and His Beloved Son, we accepted the challenge. . . We agreed to leave the security of our first estate and embark on our own great adventure of 'there and back again.'"
How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who encouraged me to take the adventure that I am currently completing. How wondrous I am of the marvelous view at the top of the mountain. How deeply grateful I am for friends who pull me along and help me to reach the top. How deeply I love the Savior, who strengthens me to finish the hike.
Comments
Post a Comment