Unexpected Challenges

I struggled a lot with what my February challenge would be, but as the month progressed it almost seemed as though the challenge to learn something new presented itself to me. I actually learned how to do two new things this month, both of which were awesome because both learning experiences were something that I found to be thoroughly enjoyable.

During the winter months I spend a lot of time indoors because I strongly dislike being cold! I'd take 115 degrees over being cold any day! But slowly over the last two winter seasons I have been exploring some winter sports, which I have really enjoyed despite the freezing temperatures (i.e., snowboarding, snowshoeing). This month, for the first time I went cross country skiing. I found cross country skiing a bit similar to snow shoeing, but with a little bit more coordination.


The above picture of me is my triumph of finally getting back up after falling with my XC skis on. It was a toss up between the difficulty of putting my XC skis back on (which I could never do without help) to get up or to get up with my XC skis on. I usually chose the battle of getting up without taking my XC skis off. That was a challenge all in itself, but got better and better after each fall (which occurred a bit more frequently than preferred).

The trip to go XC skiing began in the late afternoon, which didn't leave us much daylight and so consequently our location was closer than originally planned - Mesa Falls. It was absolutely gorgeous! Thinking about it, I don't know if our original destination would have been much different. It was SO peaceful to be skiing through the stillness of a beautiful forest - there was no sound other than the sounds of nature; the calm breeze through the trees, an occasional rushing of water from the river far below, the sweet chirps of birds as they flew overhead. It really was a bit of heaven! Without the distractions of the world to interrupt us or the responsibilities and stresses of life interfering, everything was perfect. I wish I had discovered my great liking of XC skiing earlier in the month so I would have been able to go multiple times, but I hope to have a few more opportunities to go again upon returning to Idaho.

With being a perfectionist, certain things take a lot longer for me to complete. For several years now I have wanted to learn how to make a leather journal. In my mind, this was buying a journal from the store and then making a leather covering for it. Never did I think I would learn how to do the whole process from start to finish, but I have successfully learned how! Going back to the whole perfectionist thing, it took me a long time to figure out how I wanted my leather journal to look. Once I figured that out I was ready to begin. I soon learned that even though each step is pretty easy to do, it took a lot of time and a lot of patience! But each step was well worth the final product!

The basic design of this leather journal was what I had in mind in the beginning, but a couple of things were design ideas that came during the process of its creation, for example, the leather strap page markers with beads on the ends, and the acorn as a closing mechanism. It turned out beautiful - better than I had expected!

I have learned a TON and have changed A LOT since my experience began at Anasazi. And even though as I move forward with my life I find myself continually looking back and drawing from the experiences, ceremonies, steppings, sittings, stories, and all else that is incorporated into the Anasazi Way.

In my truck I have my Rememberance Pouch hanging from my review mirror. It is something that I always look at whenever I am in my truck. It helps me remember my walking and something that I am trying to live up to. Recently I have had the desire to make a new Rememberance Pouch. I have never completely made one before, since the ones supplied at Anasazi are all pre-made. The process of making the Rememberance Pouches (pictured below) has brought so many new awakenings into my life and a new perspective that I have needed to grasp.

In the process and completion of making these Rememberance Pouches I have decided that it was time to take down my Rememberance Pouch and put a new one in its place. I am walking a new journey now with many goals ahead that I desire so greatly to reach. This Rememberance Pouch is now my constant reminder to me of all of those things in my walking right now that I am trying to accomplish. This journey is not an easy one; there will be an unspoken amount of trying, testing, stretching, and sacrificing but it is a walking that will lead to the greatest Final D there is with the richest blessings unimaginable. This journey is the Path of WE.

I am grateful for my unexpected challenges this month. I have discovered not only new activities that I would like to continue and develop, but I was also able to discover things about myself and receive awakenings that have began to help me turn towards a greater Light in my life.

February Challenge: A humble success