Taste the Blackberries

O.K., so the old saying (attributed to golfer Walter Hagen) is actually to “smell the flowers,” urging us not to rush to the finish of things, rather to enjoy the small pleasures along the way. I always keep that thought in mind when working toward a goal. It’s too easy to lose all of the days leading up to the “main event” when the focus is only on the crowning achievement. And I’m keenly aware that a past moment is gone forever.

It is just that while some may smell flowers, I happen to taste berries instead.

You see, our weekly long-distance training hike for the Snowman trek is hot, hilly and sometimes exhausting. It is also full of wonderful distractions and pleasures – and I set an intention with each walk to notice something I didn’t notice the last trip. In the course of these hikes I’ve learned three new water birds; marveled over the planting, tending and harvesting of wheat; become re-acquainted with June bugs and cicadas and, I’ve enjoyed the blackberries along the way!

When I was a kid visiting my mother’s family farm in South Georgia, there were these big, lovely, dark-indigo blackberries, which grew along a red clay road that connected my grandparents’ farmhouse to the tiny home of my favorite aunt and uncle. I’d take that walk to visit my relatives and fill up on ripe blackberries. I remember how those berries would explode in my mouth, hot from the Georgia sun.

And on our training hike route there are blackberries. Blackberries to enjoy in the moment, to release a flood of pleasant memories, to quench my thirst and curb my growing hunger – because I choose to see them. They are a gift of intention and presence.

So, in pursuing your goals I remind you to open your eyes, mind and heart to new experiences, nature, old friends and opportunity along the way. Celebrate the journey, smell the flowers . . . taste the blackberries!

Snowman Training Notes: 15-mile training hike. I wore my backpack for the first time today. I’m now training all of my long walks wearing the heavy leather boots (Asolo) that I’ll wear on the trek. Hills are easier, heart rate recovery is faster and confidence is growing with each mile. Note: checked my resting heart rate last week, it’s down from 62 bpm to 52 bpm. People always are curious if I am losing weight. First of all I should say weight loss is not a goal for me – I’m quite slight to begin with. But no, my weight is exactly the same as my starting weight from April. I will note, however, that I’m down one pants size and noticing some new muscle definition.

Thought for the day: “You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” ~ Walter Hagen