Date: 2017-01-09
To: The Trail Provides
Miles today: 0.0

All through my school career, I had more than a few teachers and professors at all levels of education start off their classes on the first day by having the students do one simple task. This was to pull out a piece of paper, a pen, and to write down a few things that you would like to take away from your time in the class. Looking back at this, I now realize I always thought of it as simple, but tedious, task asked of us by our teachers that was just used as another ice-breaker. As the date of departure for the trail nears closer everyday, I have found that I am thinking more about what I want to take away from my time on the Applachian Trail and perhaps that task which was required by so many teachers was more than just an ice-breaker but instead used as a way to make yourself realize what you wanted to work for most. One of the first things I would like to take away from the AT is patience. I imagine that by having to walk to every destination you wish to reach you have no choice but to develop patience as it will take more time than ever to get where you want to go. For as long as I can remember I have been in a rush. Been in a rush to grow up. Been in a rush to finish school. Been in a rush to get where I am going when I'm driving. When I was 12, I just wanted to be 16 so I could drive. Once I was 16, I wanted to be 18 so I would feel more like an adult with more freedom. Once I was 18, I couldn't wait to be 21. When I was in high school I couldn't wait to finish and move on to college. Once I was in college I couldn't graduate fast enough so I could go get "my real job," which would eventually turn into wanting to hike the AT. When I get stuck behind someone who is driving slow I get irritated. I now know this is not a healthy way to live. I am in hopes that I will leave the trail no longer wishing to rush my life away but to find appreciation, and joy in what life has to offer here, and now.The next two take aways from the trail I hope for are perseverance and dedication. More than once I have set out to complete something and ended up giving up on it whether it was playing soccer, ultimate frisbee, learning to play the guitar, or going to the gym regularly. I have quit most of these things due to giving up when the going got tough, from my own laziness, or just loss of interest all together. I know already that there are going to be tough times on the AT. There are going to be days when I hurt physically or that I miss being at home. There will be days where it has rained day after day and I am soaking wet, cold, and ready to quit. Advice from other successful thru's has been to never quit on a bad day. Take a rest day to think about things. Eat a big breakfast after a good nights sleep and really think about it before making the decision to get off the trail. More people than not regret their decision to quit when it is made on a bad day. I hope this mindset will stick with me throughout and long after my completion of the trail. I'm sure this list will grow in the coming months and even more so once I hit the trail but for now I think these are three important traits worth working towards during my time in the woods.