The hike talk-partner
For the last few weeks I've been hiking after work - Sometimes even during work hours if I'm honest. I know, it sounds like I'm slacking off but to be honest it's made me more productive as I'm often more focused when at work knowing I want to get home a little early and start hiking - I've really come to rely on the time I spend hiking each day.
I'm lucky to live opposite a recreation park which has so many trails I could walk for hours and hours without taking the same path twice. It's a hills-face area so there's not a lot of flat parts, just inclines and declines which makes it perfect for hiking for fitness and mountain-biking which is also what the area is used for. It means keeping my wits about me but generally the bikers and hikers don't have any collisions. There's not many hikers, I've rarely seen another person hiking, just me I guess.
That's a section of trail above, a seldom-used bike track. I like it because it's a little more dense and whilst mostly dry as is to be expected at the end of summer it's more shaded and picturesque I guess. It also runs between two high hills so is cooler and a little quieter which suits me fine.
I hike for a couple reasons being exercise and to clear my mind. I'm one of those perpetual thinkers and rarely shut down completely so hiking, the act of placing one foot in front of the other and moving forward, tends to bring some balance and quiets my mind a little which is welcomed. That's not to say my mind isn't active when I hike though, it most often is - I'm rarely not thinking something over; It's a curse sometimes.
I like to shut off, to retreat from people and detach from my day-to-day life a lot; I need to really. But I also find value in engaging with people too, specific people, and I've come to rely upon one in particular on an almost daily basis. We speak as I hike, even on the steep sections, and I always find so much value and enjoyment from those chats that they sometimes go for ninety minutes or more; My entire hike.
There's something about sharing the load, about opening up to someone who'll not judge or criticise, condemn or complain - They just listen and respond, an easy by-play of conversation about important things and nothing at all. There's laughter, a deep respect for each other, and comfort.
A few days ago daylight saving finished here and the clocks went backward by an hour. It's a little problematic as the days will get darker earlier, the natural order of things as winter comes along. This means my walk is somewhat derailed from a lack of light perspective and the time-commitments of my confidant and hike talk-partner. It's sad.
Of course, the light I can deal with as torches...Well, I have many just about every style of torch known to mankind. Prepared as always. But the hike talk-partner situation isn't as easily dealt with and I'm still getting used to the change. I'm sure we'll work something out because it's such a righteous thing I think we'll both not feel good if we don't, but isn't it funny how we sometimes come to rely on people so much, even me, a non-peopley guy!
I've walked a couple times now without my hike talk-partner and I'll be honest I miss her - She has this way of soothing me, of helping me find a place within that feels comfortable; Sometimes I wonder if it's a place within me, or it's more of a place within us scenario because I can't seem to find it without her - Missing her on our hikes seems to be somewhat of a hobby these days. We'll work it out though, and absence makes the heart grow fonder right? A stupid saying really though, because absence isn't better then presence right? How can it be when one values the other so greatly?
How do you guys find peace and a detachment from the complications of life? Do you walk, bike ride, do a hobby, escape alone or find someone to talk things out with? Do you even find the time for yourself in the first place? If the answer is no to this last , you should probably get on it. Either way, drop a comment and let me know what's up!
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Discord: galenkp#9209
Hey...sorry to hear about the two of you having a harder time getting together. But I'm sure you'll figure it out. When two minds belong to each other there will be a way...and just to know that you have a soulmate is more than others might have in this world. Even though you might not be able to talk person to person for a while.
Keep enjoying your outdoors and the time with only yourself...who knows what you will discover.
Sending you some nice, warm thoughts and keeping my fingers crossed that you'll have your companion back soon 🤗🤗🤗
Hi Anna, thanks for your comment. I know that you and Jose have been apart for sometime so you're probably an expert on dealing with it. We endure right? Make do. There's not much other option. I love being outdoors, feel more comfortable there away from society and people, but I also like human contact - Some humans. And to be honest I think I need it.
So, everything will work out and all will be well again. Like you and Jose, there's always a way.
!ENGAGE 25
We have spent almost 7 years 24/7 together and even were partners on the job. We know each other for 17 years. I know we have a special bond and working those high profile jobs together you build a trust that goes beyond just being a couple. I think you know what I mean.
But it is this trust that makes me endure it, as well as the reason for his absence. I am happy that him and his mom can spend that time together and that she is doing better for now. I'm also proud of him for taking care like he does for his mom.
But I also have to admit that discovering this place here is helping me to endure it as well.
Meeting you and other decent people around here is like not being alone either. Even though it is just virtual but I like the vibes that I get here.
We are pretty much on the same page with a lot of things...troopers ;)
Yep, I do.
The way he is taking care of his mum, being absent because of it and having to deal with that separation, speaks highly of the man so I think you've got a keeper there.
Hive is a good place to turn to for some solace, a little fun and enjoyment and to dump thoughts when required too, I do that a lot. It's good to have you around and it speaks highly of you that you jumped in, engaged and built relationships so well. So...
#TrooperLife 😀
Yeah #TrooperLife
It speaks highly for all the people that let the engagement happen, it always takes two.
If you and others wouldn't have welcomed me as you did I wouldn't be around anymore...probably.
🤗 x 100xxx
If you leave I'll hunt you down and when you least expect it jump out from behind a tree and krav maga your ass! Don't think I wont.
That is the nicest thing that someone said to me lately 😊 ...don't worry...no plans to do so...this becomes sort of my mental anchor here, if one can say so.
I know what you mean and agree, it's exactly that.
There's nothing quite like the threat of a krav maga beat-down to make a person stay on hive. Hmm, maybe we should start a hive-vigilante?
Us: Oh, so you want to leave huh?
User: Yep
[Insert krav maga moves here.]
User: Fuck me, ok I'll stay
Us: Job done y'all.
User: Can you call me a paramedic?
Us: Snaps picture to use for a post.
😂👍 sounds like a plan.
Hivewatch the other way lol
I think after a few good beatings people would get really motivated. Of course, we'd need to administer some reminder-beatings along the way, just to keep people sufficiently enthused, you know, set an example or two.
Like in the good old days, hear ya ;)
Ye olden days...When one could lay a smackdown with impunity.
I miss the olden days.
Lol, ya me too.
Old-school beatdown. Ah those were the days.
ENGAGEtokens.Thank you so much for sharing this:" There's something about sharing the load, about opening up to someone who'll not judge or criticise, condemn or complain ". I agree completely and find that the people in my life who are able to be like this are amazing and I can only aim and hope I can return that level of love and kindness to them also.
The three C's. I was introduced to that concept many years ago from a business perspective and it resonated with me in respect of other aspects of life as well. It's easy to fall into being one who does all three - Sure, we all do it sometimes, but I think it should be limited somewhat.
The people who can listen without applying any of them is someone to value and I'd like to think I am (mostly) one of those people. Of course, I probably fail miserably at times too.
Thanks for commenting.
!ENGAGE 25
ENGAGEtokens.I'm so happy for you G, being able to make these hikes, as I know how exhausting it is to be a perpetual thinker. To have a more quiet mind is balm for the soul. Not being a people person and missing the talk with the hike buddy, well, that means that that person is a very nice one.
I find comfort in nature, walking alone. It is the best therapy for me
Sometimes I have so much going on in my head it's hard to think about anything with any real value. I shift from one to the other as needed, work for instance, and by the end of the day I'm pretty drained. I do things to help though, and building Lego Technic is one of them. It helps. Of course, hiking is good too, shooting, working with my hands on a DIY project and other things too. It is what it is and I'm unlikely to change much now. You can't teach and old G-dog new tricks after all.
!ENGAGE 25
Change is hard and it is not easily done. Hiking helps a lot with the mental burden because nature has its ways of soothing our minds
Hiking does.
And donuts.
And coffee.
And corn chips and salsa.
And pizza.
And...You get the idea.
Now you've made me hungry lol. I can imagine all of that food thrown on a picnic blanket and just enjoying it while looking at the sunset. Pizza🍕😍😍😍
Food, picnic blankets and sunsets are legit.
ENGAGEtokens.Interesting
Yes.
Jude would steal every single ONE!!!! Torches and lasers... you have one chance - NO chance!
As I quoted the other day...
I am sure the two of you will find a way to make it work. :) You are a resourceful fella too... so there's that!
It is quite clear that there is a very strong and mutual bond between the two of you. Something which yes, I can well imagine probably leaves a void on both ends. That quote you referred to.... "absence makes the heart grow fonder" - not stupid, just a deeper insight into things really. Much like "You only appreciate what you have when it is gone". In essence, the absence could never replace or compare to having a persons presence, but to my mind - it is about the fact that time spent without a person we hold close to our heart makes us realise on a much deeper level, just how much they mean to us and how much we appreciate it when they ARE actually there. It sparks a much deeper gratitude and love if you will. I know you know this already... but sometimes, it is good to hear things said by someone else and not our own minds... especially when our minds do not quieten very often.
You will both find a way, I am certain :)
Something tells me Jude and I would get along well; I'll be happy to share some of my way too many torches with him. #torchlife
I remember that quote and its reference; As always you know what to say. Thank you.
You're right about the absence quote of course, it's a saying for good reason and as you know I'm not one to disregard a legit quote. I guess maybe I was being petulant! Yes, it has been known to happen. 🤪
There's a way forward, a future if you will, and just as each step carries me forward when I hike the same can be said in respect of my hike talk-partner; A valued and cherished connection in my life.
Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. You are a lovely person Jaynie and your meaningful thought is...Well...Umm...Meaningful. 😬
!ENGAGE 25
And he would be happy to take them from you and stuff them into his "special drawer" LOL!
Not always... but sometimes - mostly when it counts.
I think I was this... just this morning ;) It happens!
And you are a beautiful person. It shows in all your written works... they are...Well, um - Beautiful. :)
We can all be a little petulant at times; It's what we do once we realise we are that truly matters. I'm sure you handled it with style.
Your last line...Thank you, I'm humbled.
ENGAGEtokens.Sounds like your out training for the Himalayas to me ;-)
I have to train...That sherpa in that image you shared looks like a hard task-master! 🙂
Lol.
I know the cursed nature of an unquiet mind. I do enjoy hiking/walking and connecting with nature. It gives me a point of focus. Glad that you shared so deeply.
A point of focus...That's exactly it! You clearly get it. 😉
It's not the amount of hours, it's how you use them ;D your work probably doesn't mind you taking hikes during working hours if you're still doing the same amount or more work in the day even if you're not doing all of it during "work hours".
I generally don't recommend hiking at night unless you absolutely have to, torches notwithstanding, but at least you have a collection of torches to draw upon unlike my friend and their group who scurried off late on a group walk (apparently they were a bit disorganised that day and thought it wasn't on because one or more people couldn't make it but then one person was like "I'm here" so the rest of them ran to join in and started their hike late and were blundering towards the carpark with phone torches when it was really dark, all ended well so they could laugh about it) XD
DLS is a pain, I'm glad we don't have it here XP have you managed to find a different timeslot for your chats if hike time isn't working anymore?
I feel like you've asked the closing question or something similar to it before (I'm getting a sense of deja vu anyway, perhaps The Matrix changed something). To answer it anyway, art XP or more specifically repetitive motions so colouring or building stuff in 3d is good (animating will work as well when I have to stuff to animate with but I'm doing slightly different things and actually have to think there XD).
I have so many torches and torch-like accessories I could turn night into day. In fact, if you put all my torches on at one time and pointed them at the sky we'd be able to communicate with aliens in far away galaxies. #gottorches
Night time hiking isn't for novices that's for sure. I think I'd be ok though. I have a few routes that don't involve technical tracks, more gravel than uneven rocky tracks...I think I'd be ok. We'll work out the chats to I think, just have to juggle things around.
Yeh well don't add tumbling down a hill while on a night hike to the list of silliness okay -_-
Fall off roof: Check
Tumble down hill: Pending
I think I said before about how important it is to find some time to clear your head, and I'm pleased to know you have a place within easy reach to do that!
I too suffer from excessive overthinking, and now I can't quite get to a beach the way I used to be able to, I do find some quiet in meditation. Nothing serious, I just grab a guided meditation from YouTube and shut everything else out for a while. Sometimes, my brain is still too busy (I think this has actually just inspired a new post for me to write about lol!), but mostly it works. It gives me a way to visualise being somewhere else - somewhere relaxing!
Meditation is a good thing, or so I'm told. I'm not so god at it to be honest, can't seem to shut the mind off so meditation becomes ore like frustration for mw. Lol.
You sound like you need some dog in your life as hiking companion.
Honestly I walk a lot because of my pooch and I admit that it works more mind clearing than I thought initially. Like the weather makes the thoughts disappear a little and it helps a lot keeping a rhythm in these covid days which all seem to blend in over each other.
Stay strong dude!
I'm a cat guy and my little bub probably wouldn't walk so well on a leash. She's a bit scared of everything, except me, so she has to stay home. I've had dogs though, the problem is they can't talk back...Or maybe that's a good thing? 😂
Always, the level of strength just varies from time to time.
There it is, the big Aha moment, I walk, never talk mutter to myself perhaps, get into a rhythm, stealth mode of remembering one foot in front of the other, saving my breath to the end.
Walk-partner must be silent allowing nature to take over, listen to the crickets or birds in song.
Perhaps what is unsaid is companionship, minds moving along together in tune, not having to say anything. A grunt or a nod, unless there is really something urgent needs discussion.
To me a walk is a time to 'disrobe' from conflict around, find contentment, just being an entity out there. That path looks like a great place to lose oneself in thought, leaver earlier no need for torches nor playing dodgems with snakes....
This is a great comment and I agree, there's a time for this, for me also...The quiet. But I spend a lot of the time silent when not at work and some conversation keeps me in-tune with a few people I value. I guess there's a little of each.
Stand enjoying a sun-downer in the garden, time to chat, debate or ponder aloud.
Walking in wilderness is time to immerse ones thoughts into nature, break away from all the baggage we carry through life.
Enjoy your walk whether going alone, or in good company it is a healthy way ridding oneself of stress.
I agree and you're completely right, I should take heart from the walk itself...Thanks for the reminder.