Obstacles Towards Clear Pathways
Rarely was a smooth path presented to us.
Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat
Ganesha's foundational mantra
Ganesha is a Hindu god who is known as the remover of obstacles and is often depicted with an elephant head and four arms. He is also known as the patron of arts and sciences, and the god of beginnings.
Ganesha is frequently taught in yoga practices.
Recently, as many of you may have noticed, Michael and I have been walking the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB). Two weeks ago, I wrote about Trail Angels and how they just appeared magically to help us get back on our path.
They arrived in various forms:
Train Conductors
Hotel Receptionists
Fellow hikers
The list goes on …
Truth be told, this path challenged us in unexpected ways that contributed toward physical exhaustion, emotional depletion and mental brain cramping that held potential for great frustration—
But then … a trail angel would appear, and temporarily clear the path so that we could progress.
Zoom in. You’ll see a chain handrail, but no footpath. This was our trail.
A walking directional sign without any path name.
Ladders that travel up vertical paths.
Unstable pathways emerging into a thick, damp, and blinding cloud cover.
BUT…
This is not our whole story.
It’s only a part of it.
Sure, we met hikers who contracted norovirus and had to cancel their trip,one that they spent 10 months physically prepping for.
We ran into a Mother-Daughter team who spent the night in the hospital because mom slipped and broke her arm; the daughter was encouraged by her mom to continue the hike alone.
In a campground where we were staying in, we met a woman who blew out her knee on her second day out and was reassessing the rest of her journey and what exactly that would look like.
HOWEVER …
I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.
Louisa May Alcott
Not all obstacles stop the journey.
Not all alternative pathways hold negative outcomes.
What we learn about ourselves just may have been the journey all along. And with that comes this—-
This one made us laugh.
And here is what we have to say about it all:
WE FINISHED!
We made it!
103 miles-ish.
10,600 m (34,777 ft) gain and loss elevation.
4 books on audible.
So many kind people!
Many languages.
Many cultures.
Beautiful environment.
Live Ibex.
Happy to see a shower, good food, beer & evening single malt scotch.
Blessings ❤️
