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The trail—like life—may not always be what we want it to be, but it offers us the opportunity to choose how we respond to whatever it doles out.

• In the hiking world we have a saying, "Embrace the Suck!"
  
  
• It's a reminder that the trail doesn't care what we want it to be and is not there simply to meet our expectations.
  
  
• But we always have a choice to accept what is and manage it with faith that things will eventually change for the better.
  
  
• A good mantra that emphasizes our power is, "Embrace the suck or it will embrace you!"

MUSIC: "Poema del Pastor Coya" by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano.

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Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between is a great mindset when planning a major thru-hike – or any major life endeavor.

• Blissful is planning a thru-hike of the Great Divide Trail, a rugged and remote route that winds through the Canadian Rockies, tracing the continental divide between Alberta and British Columbia.
  
  
• In getting ready, the best mantra is from Maya Angelou, “Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.”
  
  
• Training to be unsurprised is not naive, but it's learning to be flexible and steady when things inevitably go sideways, while also leaving space for joy, wonder, and the things that can’t be plan for.
  
  
• In your next big endeavor, what are you preparing for, and what are you hoping for? How can being open make for a more successful outcome.

MUSIC: "Poema del Pastor Coya" by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano.

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I didn’t expect much when someone asked to closely examine my deformed fingers—but the moment ended up teaching me about what truly matters – and what doesn’t.

• I may be a Blissful Hiker, but my body is twisted and deformed from severe osteoarthritis.
• I’ve learned to ignore their appearance and carry on with life, focusing on what they can do rather than how they look.
• When someone asked to inspect then comment on my fingers, I realized not only was it impolite and uncalled for behavior, but that my interests lie in more meaningful activities like cultivating my mind, my curiosity and my capacity to feel empathy.

MUSIC: "Poema del Pastor Coya" by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano.

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