Today I decided to start the week off with a hike in Fryman Canyon. I have not hiked the canyon in several months. My first thought was to call a friend to go hiking with me but decided to go it alone. When I entered the parking lot, I saw someone with a tee shirt that said Be Perfect today. Wow what a great suggestion. I looked at my watch and it was 9:30am and I decided that I had to do the walk in 40 minutes. My perfection would be measured if I completed the hike at 10:10. Off I went with this focus in mind.
As I started ascending the hill I found myself huffing and puffing. I had never started huffing so early into the hike. Several times I had to stop take a sip of water and continue. I thought to myself this is far from being perfect. I am usually a trooper when I take this hill. I am challenging myself and frustrating myself as I continue to huff and puff. It was not until I turned a bend and approaching me was a hiker probably in his late twenties who gave me the most radiant smile. His smile not only lit up his face but space between us. I no longer heard my breath but I received this gift from a stranger. Immediately after he passed, two other hikers came around the bend with delightful laughter. I realized that this was perfection the beauty of a smile and the joy of laughter.
When I embraced the perfection of a smile and laughter, I looked up and saw the most amazing view of the canyons. I had been so focused on hiking in 40 minutes and the discomfort of my heavy breathing that I was missing out on the beautiful nature and the breath taking scenery.
What is perfection for you today? Take a deep breath, close your eyes, still your mind and then open to receive what awaits you. I am now at home and basking in the perfection of such a great gift from Fryman Canyon to me. By the way I completed the hike at 10:15 five minutes passed my goal. However, the real gift was so much more enjoyable.
