Hike Plans -- Back to Basics

No problem finishing the hike. The hike leader took a shorter loop to cut a mile off the hike because of the heat and we took extra stop breaks. I forgot how much I enjoy hiking with this club. 

The picnic was really good. People made food from their countries, fresh fruit, garden veggies (me), wine, beer, sammies. It was a spread. 

Because I handled the heat well, I signed up for another hike tomorrow. 10 miler (might be shorter with the heat), but this trail is a lot easier. I've only hiked it once, and I'd like to get to know it. Same hike leader, a few of the same people from yesterday. Much, much lighter traffic on a Sunday so it's not a horrible drive. 

I'm hiking with a friend on Monday, but she'll want to hike more slowly and less mileage. It's also possible she'll cancel from the heat. For all those reasons, I decided to go for the hike on Sunday and push through whatever happens for Monday. 

This brings me to one of the elements of "back to basics" for this year. Remember I said I had drifted from some of my foundational work? This is an area where I've drifted. 

Ramble coming up ...

I can default my life to living into other people's lives instead of my own. Letting others take the reins for my life. Not the big things, but the day-to-day stuff. It's nuanced --- let me try to explain. 

I want to hike on Sunday, but was wondering if that's too much for the hike on Monday. Do I need fresher legs in this heat? I've had the Monday hike on the calendar since Asheville trip with this friend. There's a big part of me that feels I owe this hike my best. 

Yet, she is someone who has a history of canceling (not lately though). The weather is miserable and she's just building up her hiking stamina. Chances are she'll dictate an easier hike than I'd like to do. Chances are she'll not give it her biggest, best effort -- because why would she push herself that much??

Why don't I give that same grace to myself? Why can't this be a hike that I take a bit easier? Why can't I be the possible limiter? 

Now, I don't want to flake on her or the hike (and I don't plan to do either), but, I want to choose ME as the priority, not someone else. Give my best to myself. Give good enough to others. 

Of course, not always and not every situation, but in ordinary moments like this, I get the top billing. 

And, if she does cancel or the hike is blah, I still did what I wanted to do and there will not only be no resentment, but I'll be extra proud of myself for living my own life and not just fitting myself into someone else's decision.

This also affects Tuesday's hike. I'm available on Tuesday with the hiking group, but no hike has been mentioned yet. Holding off on MY choices to accommodate just a possibility is not putting myself first. I won't be able to hike Tuesday if Sunday and Monday's hikes are as expected. That's fine with me. I can always join for lunch if it's a place I want to go. 

It feels good to remember to be in the driver's seat of my life instead of passenger's seat of someone else's. 

There is ABSOLUTELY a possibility that there won't be a hike on Monday or Tuesday and that would leave me very disappointed I didn't hike on Sunday. Of course, both can happen too and that leaves ME with decisions on what to do. I'm not at the mercy of other's decisions. 

That was a ramble. I hope it made a little sense. 

I'm off to tend to my son's garden. We got massive rain yesterday afternoon, so I didn't have to go over too early today. I need to check their ceiling too. Roof was replaced 2 days ago. I hope no leaks. 

Happy 4th. 

I love this country. 

I hate our government. 

I love Mother Nature. Heat dome?? Hail too?? Where ever he goes. Nice work!!!!!!!

We'll take the little wins where we can.

Later gators.