Before Scleroderma, one of my most favorite things to do was to walk and hike. It brought me so much joy!!!
Walking was therapeutic, allowing me to tap into my imagination, creating ideas and solving problems as I went along my way. And hiking offered physical exercise and the opportunity to relish in nature while exploring hidden paths, excitedly anticipating what was beyond the next curve or hill.
Not being able to traverse steadily on my own two feet has been a huge source of sadness for me. As a result recovering my mobility has been in my top three goals for over 4 years.
On our recent trip to South Dakota, I was thrilled to have been able to gain significant strides in this area. On one day I was able to walk down a path on rocky and uneven ground to get a glimpse of the incredible landscapes, and on another I was able to walk a .75 mile loop that included stairs and uneven terrain. I reached the top elevation of 300ft. And was richly rewarded with magnificent views. I can’t tell you what I thrill that was.
Unfortunately, as it goes with Scleroderma, Myositis and a not 100% healed replaced hip, the days following each adventure included intense fatigue and slow as a turtle movement, often times with my cane or electric wheelchair.
But you know what? I wouldn’t have traded those days for anything.
Over the last few years, I’ve learned that the road to chasing joy is not always easy. There will be the bright optimistic days when we’ve leaped 5 steps forward, followed by dark, disappointing days where it seems we’ve boarded a rocket ship back 20!
Sometimes, we let our setbacks define the WHOLE journey and that can result in us giving up way too soon.
I challenge you to consider that perhaps progress cannot happen without setbacks. Take my situation. The “down” days after my triumphant accomplishments were required to allow my body and mind to rest, restore and build on the progress made.
I know I have a long way to go, but I also know that the result will be that my next endeavor, whenever my body allows, will be easier and I’ll be able to go even farther.
So for all of my friends out there who are on their own journey towards chasing what brings them joy…I see you…I feel you and I’m rooting for you.
Don’t let the hard days convince you that your dreams aren’t worth it.
Because they absolutely always are.
