The Background:
I captured this shot on my recent road trip with my daughter to the Northern Sierras. We ended up making it all the way up to Mount Shasta, which was farther North than I had expected to get. We arrived at the motel the night before and asked around for some suggestions to capture Mount Shasta at sunrise. The view from Heart Lake was suggested and we set out early the next morning for the drive and the hike. We arrived at the trailhead in the dark at 5am to begin the hike and were amazed at the scene we were greeted with when we made it to the viewpoint and the sun began to rise.
The Message:
I go on most of my trips on my own – I love the solitude and the freedom to get up early or stay out late to get the best shot. On this trip, I took my daughter with me, and it was a real game-changer. Having someone with me enhanced the trip in so many ways. We drove further, did more ambitious hikes – but also paced ourselves and limited the number of hikes we tried to do each day (I also appreciated having someone to talk to and someone to share the experience with). I don’t think I would have made it all the way to Mount Shasta and I probably would not have felt comfortable doing this hike in the dark on my own.
I think it is such a valuable lesson to remind ourselves that we can’t do everything on our own. We need others to support us, to push us, and to just be there for us. We like to think that we can do it all – that we can handle it all – and that needing others is a sign of weakness. I think nothing could be farther from the truth. Creating a connection with someone else and being open about our own shortcomings is the greatest sign of strength. Letting someone see who we really are is not easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. Sharing with others enhances our lives and our experiences in deeply meaningful ways. And the more that we are open to connecting – the more that others will reciprocate that connection.
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