Given the choice between the safer easy option and the potentially difficult unknown, which do you choose? Spending much of my mental energy recently in the final stages of preparation for the Colorado Trail. There's still snow in the high points. Exactly how much, how deep, or for how far is kind of a guess. … Continue reading Given the Choice

“I’m going to live in the arena. I’m going to be brave with my life. I’m going to show up. I’m going to take chances, and if you’re brave with your life, if you choose to live in the arena, you’re going to get your ass kicked. You’re going to fall, you’re going to fail, … Continue reading In the Arena

Flaws and vanity. It's far too easy to get hung up on the parts of us we perceive as flawed. Our ego kicks in. We become vain. But are our flaws really flaws? And are they really as massive as they feel inside of us-- when we look in the mirror, when we see those … Continue reading Flaws + Vanity

Movement, action, and busyness equal growth. Right? Sure, sometimes. But what about stillness? I have been finding more and more growth through stillness, quiet, slowing down. My mind is so chaotic. Constantly thinking through every little detail, all the what-ifs, and conjuring up plans A, B, and C-- you know, just in case. I went … Continue reading Slowing Down

How do you show up to those around you? We all have good and bad days. Moments of being the sparkle that lights up someone's day and moments that our tone or body language quickly shut someone down. We won't always be rays of sunshine to be around-- but the more aware we are of … Continue reading How Do You Show Up?

The weather hiking down the North Kaibab Trail was perfect-- sunny and comfortably warm. But as I was once told by someone who probably spent a bit too much time in the canyon-- she has a mind of her own and the weather can change in an instant. The hike out the next day was … Continue reading Dance in the Storm

This little adventure was a really good trial run for the big Colorado Trail thru hike later this summer. Some key takeaways: If you leave a grocery store with a cart full of food for a week of backpacking, you've probably bought too much food. Going a week without a shower doesn't phase me, but … Continue reading Colorado Trail Prep

The 14+ mile and 5,000+ ft elevation loss hike down the North Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground only took 5 hours-- arriving at camp by lunch. After resting for a bit and purchasing my Phantom Ranch hat from the canteen-- a major priority for this trip seeing as they were sold … Continue reading North Kaibab Trail