Falling Down and Rising Again: Lessons from Nature

Spending time in nature is a cherished part of my weekends, and recently, I undertook a particularly demanding hike on a rainy day. It proved to be one of the most challenging adventures I've had in quite some time.

One of the interesting aspects of navigating a slippery trail is the experience of falling. No matter how cautious we tend to be, we will still find ourselves falling to the ground and in this trail, I found myself on the ground more than once. Falling is often abrupt and catches us off guard, yet we persist in the cause, staying vigilant and treading carefully to avoid another fall.

There are many parallels that can be drawn from the experience of falling while hiking.

1. Fear? Do It ScaredEven though we know that we might, or certainly will fall, we still take the risk and continue with the hike, and so is life and our careers, we do not stop because we can fall, we continue inspite of the possibility of or certainty to fall.
2. Find your AnchorWhen a fall inevitably occurs, it happens suddenly, and our natural instinct is to prevent ourselves from hitting the ground. Sometimes we succeed, and other times we don't. In my recent experience, I wandered deep into the woods, where I had numerous points of support to anchor on to in case of an impending fall. In real life, these support systems hold us steady to prevent falls and aid us in getting back up.
3. Navigate through the ChallengesMany hiking paths are only accessible on foot, and sometimes falls result in serious injuries. Nevertheless, we press on, striving to reach a point where we can seek help. Giving up is never an option, as doing so poses even greater risks. In life, curveballs are inevitable and sometimes we do not have a choice but to navigate through life’s unexpected challenges until we can get to a place of refuge.
4. Reflect and Appreciate.Upon reaching our destination, relief and excitement wash over us, and we take the time to assess any injuries or soreness. Just like in hiking, life calls for moments of reflection to acknowledge the progress we've made and express gratitude to those who have supported us along the way. Often, we are so focused on moving forward that we fail to take a moment to appreciate how far we've come.
5. It’s Okay to Pause and TurnbackIn hiking, our aim is often to reach a summit, waterfall or any other natural feature along the trail. While we often achieve this, there are times when we may not make it to the top due to time constraints or other factors as advised by the guides walking along with us. Similarly, in life, it's important to know when to change direction, learn from our experiences, and embark on a new path. How amazing it is to realize that we do not always have to reach the top, and it is ok to end the journey and turn back and pivot? We live to try again.

Life is about embracing challenges and finding fulfillment along the journey.

Hiking truly offers valuable lessons that can be applied to life and careers.

I enjoy hiking as it allows me to connect with not just with nature but also with myself as I witness the breathtaking views that I wouldn't otherwise experience. How about you? How do you connect with nature?