We've reached a wonderful time in life that provides for many opportunities. The story has been one of struggle and climbing, down and up, through the valleys and over the peaks to reach the higher peaks, and from this point in the journey, we fly. We fly over the valleys, no longer necessary to descend into the depths. We fly over the obstacles, above the thick forests and vast bodies of water. As a keen observer, we look out and notice what exists, but we are not pulled down into the forest, we stay above, flying.

Moments of rest allow for necessary reflection on the journey thus far. The road, sometimes paved and sometimes obvious, was difficult. It has been a challenge at every step on the path, as though the obstacles had been front loaded and deliberate. And each obstacle came with its challenge. Getting through the challenge, past the obstacle, that is the process of learning and growth (if we choose it to be). We carry with us the lessons from each obstacle. Each was placed with the intention to teach a lesson. It is certainly a choice to see things that way. It doesn't have to be viewed as a heroic path of trials and triumph. But seeing life as something else really doesn't sound as fun. That could just be me, but the hero's journey is the perception I lean toward.

This journey doesn't require a villain. It is about who we are, what we value, and how we choose to participate in the world. The coming-of-age mixed with the hero's triumph, kinda means we're figuring shit out and being epic along the way. It's only a hero's journey when viewed from afar and as a whole. In the moment, the practice is kindness, curiosity, humility, an eagerness to learn, and a desire to help.

The practice of kindness is easiest when I let go of attachment to preferences. But that's a different discussion. The epic journey and the flight forward are what we're discussing now.

The lessons learned along the journey will be useful in the coming stages. The practices and skills developed from the challenges are the reason everything feels so much easier now. Seen this before, encountered this obstacle a couple times, we know this one, etc. Those thoughts will pass by and a smile will appear across the entire face, knowing that everything leading up to this moment has prepared us to handle, with ease, what is now presented. We've moved through the stages of, "I can't handle this," to "how can I handle this," to "I can handle this," and finally to "oh yeah, that, all day long, let's go!"

There is a wisdom gained through the trials, and a portion can be gleaned from the story of the fox. A fox got his tail caught in a trap, and he lost his tail. He met up with the other foxes to tell them how wonderful it was to not have a tail. He told them they should cut off their tails because of how much better it is. A wise old fox stood up to ask, "would you be advising us to cut off our tails if you still had your tail?" Mic drop. This story teaches us to wary of the advice of others because it may not be in our best interest.

That's a good lesson for today. May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be safe.