9 Men. 4 Days. 1 Impending Storm
The backpacking trip had been planned for weeks. Nine men signed up to hike and camp in the mountains of Western North Carolina for four days. The excitement that was building, though, turned to apprehension with news of a coming storm.
Many of the participants became students of meteorology as they listened to predictions of the storm’s path and intensity. They contacted Animate with concerns of discomfort and safety, and they passed along thoughtful - and reasonable - suggestions. Some suggested rescheduling or amending the plan. Some considered pulling out altogether.
In the end, though, all nine showed up. We did pivot - called an audible - because sometimes in life (maybe even often), adjusting the plan is the wisest way to keep moving forward. Learning to adjust one’s course in response to unexpected challenges is important for navigating life.
We amended our trip to account for the weather. We camped out the first night and spent the next two safely in a lodge as the remnants of the hurricane passed. Though it wasn’t exactly what was planned, it was. It happened. We didn’t cancel. We didn’t give into fear of the unknown.
Without the distraction of technology, we hiked along the Appalachian Trail. We talked, enjoyed laughter and silence, and shared stories as we shared meals. And when the threatening storm moved us off the trail, we turned to other activities like blacksmithing where we hammered out some tools and art. Each night, we gathered in council where we established a rhythm of practicing gratitude, speaking with clarity and honesty, and looking deeply at those things in our lives worth celebrating and those that need examination and release.
The storm brought rain. It brought some wind. It meant we needed to adjust our plan. But it didn’t dampen our spirits. We were invigorated by the fun and challenges, even the final cold plunge!
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If you are in a season of transition and want to explore what having a mentor could look like for you, reach out to us! We would be honored to walk with you.