Hiking is good for my soul

I hiked yesterday at Jackrabbit Mountain in Hayesville, NC. It isn't too far from Hinton Center, so I thought I'd give it a try. I had read up on it and knew it had bike trails and hiking trails. I wasn't sure what I would hike or how long I might be able to hike. My left hip (replaced one) has been hurting some this week-- probably from the hike earlier this week. It is a reminder that muscles need more stretching than I have been doing lately.

Some cyclists suggested the center loop. After checking out the map, I decided to start on it. The paths and the surrounding forest are pretty. There are signs on trees and ferns and other plants so you can know what they are. Some of them are seasonal, such as the May Apple and the Pink Lady Slipper and the Trillium, so this would be a good spring trail to see those. But seeing all the different ferns and trees was cool.

I took the center loop (white trail) until the Burnt Tree Peninsula Trail (green) and took it around. That trail allowed me to see the Chatuge Dam plus I found a rock from the Hayesville Rock group on that trail. 

It wasn't too crowded on the trails. I was most surprised by a father/son hunting with a recurve bow. As I was leaving, I noticed two other hunters going in with crossbows. I didn't realize the area was also a hunting area or that it was hunting season. If I had known that, I probably would have worn orange. I have hiked on the AT (Appalachian Trail) before near Springer Mountain in hunting season and one is advised to where orange. 

It was good to share the trails with bikers, walkers, hikers, runners, and folks with their dogs, and the hunters. Multi-use trails at their best.

The trails were clean (for the most part). I only saw two pieces of clothing, one bottle left behind (on a stump), and some toilet paper.

After my hike, I saw this rock in the parking lot. It caught my attention because it looked heart-shaped as I walked over it.  It was so flat on the top. After I took a photo, I pulled it out and took a photo of the hole. The rock was not flat on the backside, bur rather about an inch or so in depth. I returned it to its proper place.

A quote by Socrates last night in a chapter in Jane Rubietta's Resting Place: A Personal Guide to Spiritual Retreats got me thinking more about that rock. What you see/saw on the outside, on the top, was not what was underneath. Socrates wrote: "Give me beauty in the inward soul; may the outward and the inward man be at one."

Reflecting on that quote (and some of the chapter in Rubietta's book), along with the rock, here are some things I have been mulling over:

• The rock won't change on the inside, except over time (lots of time) and wearing away. Because it is a hard rock, it is less likely to change its form.
• As people, we can change our outsides to match our insides and vice versa. What you see is what you get, so to speak. It takes effort, humility, maturity, etc. 
• It means not wearing masks, living with integrity, allowing our souls to become whole, living into wholeness and freedom, etc.

My whole purpose in hiking and taking time apart is for my soul to catch up with my body, for my soul to have the opportunity to become whole again, for its parts to heal and recover. Hiking also helps the outer me become whole too. It's part of my outdoor and nature therapy, drawing me closer to the Creator.

I don't always get it right. I don't always respond well. I still make mistakes, fall, fail, etc. For the most part I stopped wearing masks long ago and I have been seeking to live into my true self rather than my false self. The false self pops in/up every now and then. But, I'm learning. I'm growing. I'm listening to what God is saying to me and teaching me. Some days it's a slow process. There are others days in which I have a light bulb moment. 

But, much like a hiking trail, it's the journey that matters to me. What do I see and experience along the way? What are the sights, the sounds, the new things, the old things.... how does the air smell.... how does the breeze feel..... etc. How do all these things refresh and renew my soul and spirit and remind me that I am a beloved child of God?

I believe that my outward and inward person are becoming more congruent, more "at one', as Socrates puts it. I will continue the inward and outward journey, living into spiritual disciplines that grow and stretch both sides of those muscles.

Rubietta writes this about spiritual disciplines/practices: "Spiritual disciplines are intended to transform us for the sake of others.' (65)  That is very much the same as I learned from Bob Mulholland when he spoke at my 2 Year Academy and from his books.  If my silence, solitude, prayer, Scripture reading, etc. time isn't transforming me.... then they aren't going to be of help to others and I might as well not do them. Only if the practices are transforming me will they be of use/help to others.

I still don't have all the answers. Nor do I need to. I am where I am to be, doing what I am called to do, for such a time as this. And, even so, I know my calling as pastor is strong and secure. God reminds me of that and I am grateful. 

Hiking may not be the thing that is good for your soul. Find what is and do it.

Peace and adventures on the journey!

Rev. Deb

P.S. Here are my hiking photos. Flowers, trees, views, ferns, mushrooms, etc.

Advent 3 2020

Slowly, but surely, I am making my way through the Advent 2020 posts.  My goal is to get them done so I can then work on the Lent 2021 posts and get them posted DURING the Lenten season.  Then I will be caught up. Woo hoo!  Then I can write about other things that are going on and in my heart, mind, and soul.  

 Here are the words for Advent 3: joy, grace, promise, hospitality, healing, community, journey.

December 13. Today's word is joy. Where do you find joy? How have you experienced joy this Advent season? How do you share joy with others? Share your thoughts on joy and any photo or drawing. #joy #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is joy. Rocks and water bring me joy. The bottom two were already there. I added the rest. I sat on a large rock by the water. Being in creation helps me remember who and whose I am. #joy #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 14. Today's word is grace. Grace is one of the best gifts I received. I wouldn't be here without grace. Grace continues to play an important role in my life's journey. As you reflect on today's word, what comes to mind? How does grace fit with your Advent season this year? What does grace mean to/for you? Share your thoughts and a photo or drawing. #grace #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is grace. There was much grace for this retired language professor in learning Greek (and later Hebrew). Grace is an ongoing part of my life and faith journey. Though learning Greek is a bit different than other ways grace has played out, when you look at all we had to learn in one semester... whew. This was my study guide for the final from 9 years ago. Grace has brought me through many other situations and continues to be a great teacher. The hymn comes to mind with the refrain: "grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within". I have much learning, growing, and transforming to do. Therefore, I hold on to grace. #grace #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 15. Today's word is promise. As you reflect on today's word, what meaning does it have for you this Advent season? Is there any particular promise you hope is fulfilled? What does the promised birth of the Christ child mean to you? Share your thoughts and any photo or drawing. #promise #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Yesterday's Advent word was promise. I didn't post because I got stuck. Today, on my way to the office, I passed this sign. This sign is a promise of good coffee. In my opinion, it lives up to its promise. Others may see it differently. We don't all see things the same nor do we all respond the same. Because I am not promised more than the moment in which I live and breathe, I attempt to be present, to offer the best of me. That's my promise, though I know I will miss the mark. That's where the promise of grace comes in. #promise #adventphoto #saintelmoumc #madpriestcoffee

December 16. Today's word is hospitality. How does hospitality play a role in your Advent, in your faith journey? What is hospitality to you? How do you express today's word in a photo or drawing? #hospitality #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is hospitality. "Love and acceptance practiced here" is hospitality. The other sign shows hospitality too, reminding people they are loved. How do you show people hospitality, especially during a pandemic? How can we offer hospitality in this moment of time in a safe and healthy way? It may look different, but it's possible. #hospitality #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 17. Today's word is healing. What healing have you experienced this Advent season? Or maybe the question is: what healing do you need this Advent season? As you reflect on today's word, what surfaces? How do you visualize today's word in a photo or drawing? #healing #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is healing. Seeing and finding hearts is healing. Hearts remind me that I am loved. This heart tonight was by the car, on the asphalt, as we were finishing some errands. Today marks one year of a special day in our family. I am grateful for that day, the healing, the support, the love. #healing #adventphoto #saintelmoumc #seeaheartshareaheart

December 18. Today's word is community. What does community mean to you? In this Advent season when we are still in a pandemic, how is community different for you? Do walls or buildings define community for you? How do you stay connected with community during these times, during this Advent season? As you reflect on today's word, you are invited to share your reflections and any photo(s) or drawing(s) that depict community. #community #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is community. This is one of many murals in our community. Community supports one another. It seeks the best for one another. It rejoices with one another. It weeps with one another. It is an honor and privilege to walk with and serve among others in community. Since mid-March we have been stretched in many ways. I have been encouraged how we have found ways to support one another, to encourage one another, to love one another. May we continue to grow together in community to be the best we can be. #community #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 19. Today's word is journey. Advent is a season of journey to the birth of the Christ child, to the manger. How has the journey been for you this year? What have you experienced? What have you learned? How has this year's journey been different from years past? You are invited to share your insights from your reflections and any photo(s) or drawing(s) that depict today's word for you. #journey #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Yesterday's word was journey. I got stuck again for the 2nd time. Seeing as I use "journey" often and in my blog title, one would think yesterday would have not gotten me stuck. But it did. As I reflected on this year's Advent journey, the pilgrimage toward the birth of the Christ child, nothing emerged. This morning, I realized that this Advent has been more difficult to travel through hope, peace, love, and joy because of the added layer of pandemic. At the same time, the pandemic has offered a certain buffer for solitude, if I/we allow it and live into it. This Advent has brought me an online Advent study led by a lay person. That would not have happened, I imagine, in other circumstances. There has been darkness to pass through, grief from death and other losses, just during Advent, not to mention reflection from the entire pandemic path. Like all journeys, there are ups and downs, and rest spots along the way. In the spiritual sense, the journey has its inward and outward parts in which we practice different ways of growing. The photo is one of the more recent hikes on a section of the Cumberland Trail. It is misleading. You see a straight and flat path. It was in sections. However, we traversed up and down too. You don't always see the difficult aspects of a journey or what people have gone through to arrive where they are. The best part of journeys for me? Journeys are adventures. The Advent journey has been no different. #journey #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Peace on your journey, 

Rev. Deb