'Wild'

“I could go back in the direction I had come from, or I could go forward in the direction I intended to go.”

I just finished reading ‘Wild’ by Cheryl Strayed, which chronicles her solo journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. Her story, both blunt and fascinating, evokes more than the bucket-list hope of hiking the PCT. I have recently become passionate to hear stories of people’s lives and adventures, expanding beyond self-improvement or business books so common to me.

‘Wild’ was able to transport me from the peaks of the high cascades to the evergreen forests reminiscent of home. The mountains and forests bring peace into my life, which I often miss while living in the Midwest. Admiration of Cheryl’s strength and resiliency entices me to look into a physical challenge such as the PCT. This book, associated with wanderlust readers, simultaneously inspires me to surround myself with people and places that bring me tremendous joy, as well as urges me to take massive action in the direction of my ideal life.

The beautiful life for which I yearn will only be obtained by overcoming fear and self-doubt that will inevitably arise. An idle life is one without adventure; one in which I do not hope to lead. Cheryl Strayed realized that she could carry everything necessary to survive, through tough and beautiful moments alike, she continued to push forward. The biggest takeaway from ‘Wild’ for me, has been the idea that when life is seemingly working against you, you still have the ability and fortitude to carry all you truly need to survive.

We take for granted the blessings in our lives, and through intense personal struggle that we are able to recognize the amazing things that enrich our lives on a daily basis. “Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being excited about what could go right.”