First, let me explain: every time I go hiking, I know exactly what kind of terrain I'll face and prepare accordingly. If the track needs resistance because of time, I take longer walks in the previous weeks. If the track has uneven terrain, I practice walking in similar circumstances.
However, I didn't know much about that track, and because of a busy semester at work, I could not prepare much. I walked just a little, and on flat surfaces. Big mistake.
When we got to the hiking spot, the terrain was incredibly steep and, not enough to scare me, it was also slippery and irregular: it went from wide fields to closed forests, from stones to mud.
In a struggle both internally and externally, for my blushed face did not let me deny it, I doubted if I would be able to get to the top. I had my family with me this time, and my mother was facing similar problems. At a certain point, I told her: "It's always like this: we think we won't be able to get to another yard, but when we do, we try another one, and another. That's also how traveling is, a new breakthrough every minute."
That was when it hit me: the importance of walking. Every step is a breakthrough, be it on a steep hiking when you think you won't make it to the top, be it on the many miles visiting a new country. The steps get harder and harder, but the feeling of being able to continue is liberating.
Walking has something mystical about it, for it is almost transcendental to cross miles with your own feet. Walking is proof that resilience is key to great achievement, or great distance, which is basically the same thing.
Every time I get home from hiking or from a long trip I take the time to look and massage my feet. That's my personal homage to these tools that have already taken me so far. I take care of them so that they can keep on taking me where my heart desires.
As Johnny Walker likes to say: keep walking!
...
For the Portuguese version, go to Diario Lirico de Viagem
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário