The Trail As Life
by Rebecca L. Morgan, CSP, CMC588 words
A few years ago Robert and I hiked to the former leper colony, Kalaupapa, on Molokai in Hawaii. It is a 3.5 mile strenuous trail down a 1600 ft. cliff with 26 switchbacks. We had the opportunity to hire a mule to negotiate the trail, but we decided we would get more out of the experience by walking.
We started early in the morning, before the sun had dried the trail from the night's rain. The trail was steep, with many mud holes and rocks. We followed another couple down the trail for awhile. As I watched where the woman ahead of me stepped, I thought "This trail is like life-each person chooses her own path." Robert often speaks about using metaphors in presentations, so I continued the comparison of the trail and life.
Watching the woman's foot prints, I then decided where to put my foot. If she sank into a mud hole or slid off a stone, I chose another place. If her foot stayed dry, I stepped in the same place. Don't we do that in life-watch others to learn what works or what doesn't? Then we change our actions accordingly.
The most efficient path-straight over the edge of the cliff-would not have been a good idea, nor successful. Instead, we attained our success by constantly modifying our route through a series of turns. We must continually make adjustments, while still staying attuned to our goal.
After 20 minutes, the couple in front of us moved out of our sight. I had to stop trying to keep up with them and go at my own pace. Don't we sometimes catch ourselves comparing our progress to others? At some point we have to choose our own path.
The mules traveled this trail every day, so of course they left their "calling cards" in the form of pungent dung. In life we sometimes run into dung. We have two choices:
1) complain and whine to anyone who will listen, repeating to ourselves and others "Why do I have to be around so much dung?" Or
2) notice it's there, step in as little as possible, and move on.At each of the 26 switchbacks a signpost marked the switchback number. However, in the beginning were so focused on getting to the bottom, that we didn't notice half of the markers. Sometimes in life we're in such a hurry to reach the end, that we don't pause and notice and appreciate the markers or milestones.
When we slowed down or stopped we noticed beautiful views of the sea below, small flowers, birds, insects, animals, and sights that we wouldn't have seen if we had kept our heads down and focused only on the muddy trail.
Although the trail was predominantly downhill, occasionally there was a rise before we descended again. Like the trail, life has its ups and downs.
Because the trail was slick, we couldn't move quickly. Instead, we had to be flexible and make judgements every step of the way.
Once, we rounded a switchback and came face-to-face with a 200 pound wild boar. You never know what will be around life's next corner, so stay alert. You also never know when you'll encounter a 200 pound boar.
We could have taken the mules. But we wouldn't have seen the same sights, felt the trail beneath us, met the boar, or had the same experience. There are easier ways to the same destination, but they're not the same journey.
© 1996 Morgan Seminar Group
_______________________Rebecca L. Morgan, CSP, is a dynamic speaker and seminarist. She is the author of four books, TurboTime: Maximizing Your Results Through Technology, Calming Upset Customers, Life's Lessons: Insights and Information for a Richer Life, and Professional Selling. For information on her speaking services, books, and tapes contact her at 1440 Newport Ave., San Jose, CA 95125, 408/998-7977, 800/247-9662, fax: 408/998-1742, rebecca@RebeccaMorgan.com, www.RebeccaMorgan.com. Please contact Rebecca for permission to reprint or repost this item.
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