HIKING THROUGH LIFE

By Christine Dionisio

My husband and I had some time off and decided to drive to Lake Louise early this week. Because we’d like to burn a few calories before a big dinner, we decided to take a hike. The Staff at Chateau Lake Louise recommended two short hiking trails. One is the almost level path on the right side of the lake to the glacier which we took on the first day. The second one is the Fairview lookout which we tackled in the morning of our second day. Since it’s still quite early in Spring, the trail to leading up to the lookout is still full of snow. Our experience tackling that trail is an unforgettable one and, much like threading the path of life, has taught me a lot of lessons.

1. Prepare for it – My husband and I put on our running shoes and light spring jackets and tried to hike Fairview lookout. Since it is still early in springtime, we didn’t realize what the trail ahead would be like. We ended up climbing the slippery, snowy mountain with great difficulty and falling many times along the way. We have been climbing the 1.8 km trail alone for almost an hour when a group of 4 people dressed in winter jackets, toques, mitts, ski sticks and skis passed us. It is only then that we realized we are obviously not prepared for the terrain conditions—-Hiking through life’s journey needs preparation, planning and equipping yourself. Knowing what lies ahead and being equipped with the proper “tools” makes life’s trail easier to hike.
2. Have a buddy – Though I’ve fallen on the slippery snow many times, sometimes even to the point that I was flat on my face, I am thankful that my husband was there to pull me up.—- In our life’s journey, it is always good to have a buddy, a mentor, a friend or a family member to make the hike more fun, to push and encourage you to move on, to be accountable to and be accountable for, share your sorrows and rejoice with your accomplishments. Surely, without a buddy, one will not go very far or will not succeed at all.
3. Take the old beaten pathway – As we threaded the snowy trail, the middle of the path is hard and compact since many hikers have walked on it a few times. It is also quite slippery for me, so I tried to step on the side of the path only to be buried deep in the snow, sometimes sinking up to the knee or even waist deep.—- I learned that like life, it would be best to stay in the old beaten path. While it may be good to discover better ways of doing things, it is still safe to do the tried and tested ways of those who came before us.
4. Let the markers guide you – As we advanced further along our trail, we would see markers or arrows from time to time; this assures us that we are leading to the right path. —– In life, whenever we make decisions, make a big step or decide to go a particular direction, we have to pause from time to time, to check and reflect… if we are doing the right thing, or doing things the right way. We have to check “markers” such as a lesson from a teacher, a mentor’s advice, our parent’s teachings, but most importantly, God’s word, the Bible.
5.  Look ahead with the goal in mind – Although we have no idea how much farther we have to walk or how much longer till we arrive at the end of the trail, we know there is an end, or that we will eventually reach the peak and admire the beautiful and breath-taking view. That is what keeps us going. —- never stop. Only those who move forward will get to the finish line, and only those who do will receive the medals in life.

Christine lives in Calgary, Alberta. She’s married and has four wonderful kids. She’s an active member in her church and her community. She’s also one of the top Realtors in Calgary with Century 21 Bravo Realty. She can be reached at Christine.Dionisio@century21.ca

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