My quest for finding the rhythm of life on the trail is always exciting.  Using the trail as a metaphor for life, combining my passion for wilderness tripping and thoughts as I have officially hit middle age, I explore the possibilities of midlife.  No crisis required.

At the trailhead we feel anticipation, excitement with a body fine-tuned for the grueling days ahead.  At the end of the trail we feel accomplishment, exhilaration and exhaustion.  Like life the trail offers us challenges, unexpected gifts and opportunities for personal growth.   At the start of the trail we can be naïve to its ways while somewhat more humble and wiser as it winds to the closing trail marker.  When you are halfway down the trail, whether a real trail or metaphorically, you can stand still in gratitude and reflect on what is behind and what is ahead.  With mounting confidence, wisdom, some pride of accomplishments, fears and inner strength you push on to face the journey ahead. 

Facing midlife head on and embracing all that it is excites me and makes me want to keep following my trail despite not knowing what is around the next bend. The quest for rhythm is overshadowed by a realization that life is all about the stillness, the opposite of the predictability of the rhythm.  While a cliché, it rings very true, life is not about the destination but about the journey.  One foot in front of the other with a grateful heart leading the way as the trail unfolds before me.

By Beth Montgomery