Life is good. The Appalachian Trail just told me.

Life is good.

This is not to say that I have discovered that life on the Camino is so good that the “rest of life” is not.

This is not to say that I have discovered that life on the Path is so bad that “real life” and its comforts are good in comparison.

• It means I am impressed by the fact that life has a 2200 mile path right here. Life is good.

• It means that I am surprised to discover that life on the trail is an incredible experience. Life is good.

• It means I get inspired while I walk, learn, meet amazing people and see amazing sights. Life is good.

• It means I am humbled as I think about my “real life” and all its blessings and challenges, and what AT has done to add perspective to all of that. Life is good.

• It means that I am amazed to think of the freedom and opportunity that life gives us to choose to be here on the path. Life is good.

• It means I’m in awe of all the fans and this amazing trail community, all trying so hard for me to be successful (whatever «success» means to me). Life is good.

• It means I am energized by the friends and family who have joined me and supported me on this journey. Life is good.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail has shown me all of this. He has been reaffirming in all these ways that life is good. cdso.

The bigger picture

Surely the Path has ways of showing you the bigger picture. A new perspective. A new way to prioritize. The big problems are not so big anymore. The main concerns are not so much anymore. The things that used to make me nervous don’t make me so nervous anymore. The positions or opinions of individuals no longer seem so alarming. Things that once seemed so urgent now seem a little less urgent. Life is good.

Of course, not everything in life is good. There is poverty, war, crime, disease and illness. I’m not trying to be all Pollyanna here. These and other questions make life very challenging for many people. But taken in perspective, seen alongside other priorities, and combined with things we feel gratitude for, it’s a great lens through which to view things.

That’s what the Appalachian Trail has told me. Actually, nothing new. It was always there to be seen and learned from. But the AT showed it to me. Things I just didn’t see before. Priorities that I simply wasn’t processing before. Appreciation. Gratitude. Perspective.

Life is good.

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