In the chaotic rhythm of modern life, it is sometimes hard to find ourselves amid the daily hustle and reconnect with our inner essence. However, sometimes a simple retreat into nature can offer us the answers we seek and a deeper perspective on the surrounding world. Today, with bare feet in the fresh spring grass, while admiring the mountains surrounding Brașov, the beautiful city where I live, my thoughts drifted to my 4-day experience in the Andes on the Inca Trail.
It was a great act of courage for me to spend 4 days in the mountains, climbing up to 4,215 meters in altitude, covering a total of 42 kilometers to the impressive Machu Picchu. Four days spent in the Amazon jungle, on narrow paths, disconnected from the modern world and too focused on breathing to talk to those around me. They were 4 days of reflection in which I heard all my thoughts very clearly in the healing silence of nature. Today I felt some of the states I experienced then and remembered that upon returning, after a flight, I wrote some beautiful words about it. I leave my short story here in the hope that it will inspire and refresh you in some way:
“Today everyone smiled at me! I think it was visible on my face that I was in “breakfast in bed” mode and not “socializing.” I would have liked to be alone in nature and not surrounded by people on the plane. So, to blend duty with soul needs, as soon as I arrived in Amsterdam, I rushed to the first patch of greenery and quietly enjoyed the smell of fresh grass, the cold and piercing air, and the timid rays of the sun playing hide and seek behind the clouds.
I closed my eyes and my thoughts flew to those few days spent in the Andes, surrounded only by a handful of people and the majesty of nature, without electronic devices and other time-stealing artifices. I remembered that while following the ancient Inca trail, a real expedition for me, at every step the perfect analogy between a mountain hike and the journey of life itself was confirmed. Neither the mountain nor life reveals too much of what you are about to experience. It’s as if you have with you a blurry map and a broken compass. You are encouraged by others and by your own instinct to venture and see where all those paths lead, even if you have a hint of hesitation.
You get excited and start running even though you don’t know the exact direction. Initially, you set off with the intention of getting as high and as fast as possible. You hesitate at every step, everything seems unclear, and you continually wonder if you made the right choice at every fork in the road. Along the way, however, you realize that this marathon doesn’t allow you to see anything around you. So you slow down and open your eyes wide. You wake up. You soon learn that it’s not about the destination but the journey itself. You are surprised by what you see around you and then wonder how you ran for so long with squinting eyes.
The fog seems to lift and the sun slowly warms you up. The path does not unfold in perfectly straight lines. Thus, you cannot see very far ahead but it reveals itself little by little with each turn. It will not always be like a walk in the park. Every tear and every drop of sweat is like a brick in the foundation of self-confidence. But now you enjoy the obstacles too. Now you know that whatever comes your way will be a blessing, sometimes disguised. Now you see the fresh green of the leaves, you smell the exotic fragrances, you hear the sounds of nature.
You will meet many other brave souls like you. Some will sincerely guide you and you will be grateful to them. Others will try to trip you up and stop you on your path. You will be grateful to them too later when you realize that their actions inadvertently led you back to the easier path. Sometimes you will have company, other times you will manage alone. You will look up from time to time at the intimidating massif you are aiming for. You will often be discouraged by the thought that you cannot conquer it. Then you look back and see how far you have already come. You realize that all great things are achieved with small steps.
We all live the same story…”
In the spotlight of the modern world, it is easy to lose ourselves and lose sight of the purpose and meaning of our lives. However, by turning our attention to the beauty of nature and seeking the deep wisdom it offers, we can find the guidance and clarity we need to navigate our personal path. Thus, every step we take becomes a valuable part of our journey, and each turn and obstacle becomes an opportunity for growth and transformation. Appreciating small victories and being grateful to those who encourage us or offer us lessons along the way are essential aspects of our journey that contribute to building us as individuals.
In the end, let us remember that we are all travelers on the same path of life and that we can find strength and inspiration in everything that surrounds us.