Recently, my mom and I went for a hike. Not a long one. Not a taxing one. Just a stroll through the spring woods. There is something magical about hiking. It allows you to connect. Really connect. The woods transforms to a realm in which you can talk about anything.
We go about our lives so rushed and hurried. Racing to get to the next thing we have to do. Coveting what someone else has. Dreaming of our vacation where we’ll finally get a chance to relax. As a society we hear faster, faster, faster equals better, best, awesome.
But, deep down we know this isn’t true. We know that the best times are not the new car or racing to get to the next thing to do. The awesome times in our lives are the smallest moments–the memories that happen when we slow down and are present in the moment.
For me as a mom, I love hiking with the girls. They open up and really share their lives with me. I don’t get short, “Fine.” answers to my queries. They talk the entire time we are on the trail. I learn about their world, worries, hopes, and dreams. They learn to be confident, to take risks, and to face challenges head-on. And they know that I’ll be there to help them accomplish their goals even if it as simple as climbing a really cool sycamore tree and getting back down again.
This Mother’s Day I encourage you to take the time to enjoy a hike with your mom, your children, or all the above.
Slow down, connect, and create memories of a walk through the woods with your loved ones because that is going to last a lot longer than a box of chocolates.