To celebrate my 30th birthday I set the intention to hike Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, AZ. What is powerful about setting intentions is that conscious effort is made in manifesting the outcomes we would like to achieve. My intention with the hike was simple…hike to the top of the mountain, be in nature, and have a spiritual experience that was liberating. Turning 30 is a milestone, and I wanted to bring in my 30’s doing an activity that reflected where I am in this present moment. So…I decided to hike!
I opted to complete the hike alone because I needed time to self-reflect and manifest the intentions I set forth. As I started the hike everything was great…the trail wasn’t to rigorous…the weather was just right and the sunrise couldn’t have been more beautiful. However, midway through the hike everything started to change. The incline of the hike got higher, the boulders got tricker, and shit got realer.
I kept asking myself…”who’s idea was it to hike, your’s!”. In the midst of my doubt, I kept hiking. I was determined to make it to the TOP. Interestingly enough, as the hike became more challenging it was a reflection of how life is. When things get hard in life…doubt sets in and the negative self-ego comes out to play. And when we least expect it the universe rises to meet us where we are, if we choose to do our self-work.
When the universe met me where I was, I was feeling defeated on the hiking trail. About to turn back around, I met this beautiful woman. She was a spirit guide sent to me by God. As I was taking a break to sip water, our eyes connected and the conversation began…
Me: Good morning.
Spirit guide: Good morning.
Spirit guide: What brings you to the mountain?
Me: I wanted to try something different this morning.
Spirit Guide: I believe God brought you to the mountain this morning.
Me: *Looks at the woman with a blank stare*
Spirit Guide: Do you need any thing?
Me: I’m okay.
Spirit Guide: To make the hike easier look at the number marks and stay to the right side of the trail.
Me: Thank you…have a nice day!
Spirit Guide: Have a nice day!
As I continued to rest…the spirit guide hiked up the mountain. 30 minutes later, I see the spirit guide again…
Spirit Guide: How are you doing?
Me: I’m doing okay.
Spirit Guide: Your getting close to the top.
Me: I didn’t know that.
Spirit Guide: I’ll see you at the top!
As I climbed and climbed then more fatigued I become. My fatigue made me think of the many ways the hike was a reflection of my life journey. The hike made me think of…
- The moments where I felt defeated in life and gave up.
- Every life challenge I have overcame.
- Being four classes a way from having the initials Dr. added to my name.
- People who counted me out in life.
- All the strength that I have is all I need.
Overwhelmed by my thoughts and physical fatigue, I took another break. I saw my spirit guide again.
Spirit guide: Your extremely close to the top.
Me: Really?
Spirit guide: For you to make it this far up the mountain speaks volumes of your character. You are some type of woman!
Spirit guide: I thought you would have turned around.
Me: I thought I would have turned around too.
Spirit guide: Sometimes all we need in life to make it through any thing is God.
Me: Absolutely!
Spirit guide: Do you mind if I give you a gift?
Me: No, I don’t mind.
Spirit guide: *Reaches in her bag and pulls out a cross necklace*
Spirit guide: To make it through all you need is God, see you at the top!
Me: Thank you!
Needless to say, I made it to the top of the mountain. I didn’t see my spirit guide again, it was like see vanished once she delivered the message I needed to hear. The cross she gave me I carry it with me daily. The Camelback mountain hike served as a metaphor for not letting anything deter me from the intentions I set for my life. The journey will be challenging but eventually with hard work and perseverance I will make it to my destination. I will make it to the TOP. Making it to the top looks different for every person but it’s possible if we believe.
My intentions set for Camelback mountain manifested beyond what I imagined. I made it to the top of the mountain, was at one with nature, and had a liberating spiritual experience. The phrase see you at the top holds a meaning now. See you at the top!
Until next time…
-Peach
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