Managable Pieces

The trick to hiking in the Grand Canyon
is remembering that the last half of the hike
you'll be going uphill.
In my local mountains,
the heart-pounding climb comes first.

The uphill can be fun.
I rested every few steps,
stopped to take in the ever changing view.
Concentrated on being there
rather than getting the hike done.

It was sunny on the way up
(as opposed to the cool rain showers
during our downward trek).
It got a little hot, but there was a small patch of shade
after every stretch of the legs.

We, like other travelers on the trail,
soon learned that shady spots
made excellent places to take pictures
and admire the general view.

I'm reminded of one of the formative stories
that has guided and shaped my life and living.
It came from a Madeleine L'Engle book.
She told of a boy who was sent by his uncle
to clear a field by hand.
When faced by the field, he felt overwhelmed,
and curled in a ball and went to sleep.
Day after day, he came to the field,
became exhausted by the thought of the work ahead,
and slept.
Finally the uncle came to check his progress.
Catching the boy in his nap, he told him,
"If each day you had cleared a space the size you slept upon,
the field would be half cleared by now."

Or to quote one of my favorite movies,
"Small steps, Ellie. Small steps."