Into the wilderness we go
File photo
When this column is published, I’ll be emerging from five days in the wilderness of Southwest Virginia. A group from First United Methodist Church of Waynesville will be participating in the Wilderness Trail experience from June 21-26.
The overarching mission of the program is, “to lead backpacking faith adventures that bring teens closer to God and to each other.”
Our own kids have participated in Wilderness Trail for many years, but this will be my first time. I’ll technically be an adult chaperone, although I have no doubt the more experienced teens and young adults will be teaching me way more than I can teach them in terms of surviving in the great outdoors. With that being said, I’m hoping I can offer a little wisdom that only comes with age and living life.
I’m still not sure why I signed up, other than to say I felt called to do it. Backpacking is not totally foreign to me as I’ve done it before in my life, but it’s been close to two decades since the last time I camped in a backpacking fashion (as opposed to car camping). Additionally, it’s been a long time since I’ve done anything significantly outside my comfort zone and it felt like it was time to stretch myself. We only grow and evolve through that which challenges us.
One of the pillars of Wilderness Trail is trust. Part of their mission statement says, “We believe that we have to continually push ourselves to the edge of our comfort zone to truly trust. Our faith begins in the places where we are being pushed to the end of our rope.” I’ve written before about something of a spiritual awakening I’ve been having over the past couple of years that feels much deeper and more meaningful than traditional “religion.” A component of this awakening includes trusting in the unknown and being confident the universe has my back, so what better way to practice these skills than to detach from everyday life and live in the woods for several days?
Another pillar is joy in the moment. As an Enneagram seven, I’m often very future-focused, concerned with what’s happening next or planning for something that’s occurring tomorrow or next week or next year. I’m trying to be more mindful of the present and live in the moment in all areas of my life. Hiking miles upon miles, carrying the weight of a pack, setting up camp each night and taking it down each morning, filtering water and all the other stuff that comes with backpacking will certainly help me practice mindfulness.
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An additional pillar is being called into the wilderness, both in the literal and metaphorical senses. As it states in the mission statement, the wilderness “has a way of stripping away the layers of our lives we don’t really need. As the wilderness challenges us, it reveals who we really are and who God created us to be.” I’m looking forward to disconnecting from the overstimulation of daily life. I know this time will give my mind the space it needs to grow, heal and learn more about myself.
One of the mottos for Wilderness Trail is “trust the process.” I’ve used this in my own life many times and frequently say it to my boys, especially in terms of athletic training and development. We forget sometimes that the golden nuggets of life often take time to unfold. Whether it’s writing a novel, earning a degree, building a house, nurturing a relationship, mastering a new skill or backpacking, if we trust the process, everything will feel lighter and more intentional.
I’ve learned that when I feel overwhelmed or exhausted from the deluge of input, the remedy is to slow down, center myself in the moment and get as close to the metaphysical as possible. Although I know challenges will present themselves while we are in the woods, I’m also confident I’ll come back feeling more grateful for the simple pleasures in life and also for the magic moments that tend to happen when spending time with Mother Nature.
(Susanna Shetley is a writer, editor and digital media specialist. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)
