Found a "New" Trail

It's been raining for most of today in Southern California, but yesterday was close to beautiful for most of the afternoon as the sun peeked through the clouds every now and then. I am grateful to have discovered a "new" trail this weekend. Actually, the trail has been there all along. I have driven by the trail head at least 3 times per week for the past five years, and I never really noticed it before. I had seen the signs, the fence, the parking spots, and people walking out of it, but it didn't "click" for me until last week that there was another hiking opportunity within minutes of my home. I am surmising that I hadn't really noticed because I am usually in a hurry to get somewhere when I travel this particular route. Being in a hurry, it seems, bypasses the part of my brain that plans fun stuff. I am feeling a little anxious at not knowing what other things I have been missing.

I am finding this to be the case also in conversation. If I go too fast, I may miss important information from the other person, and miss opportunities to increase connection and understanding. And, perhaps more importantly, if I go too fast I may react without checking inside to do my own heart inventory (listening for my own feelings and needs), increasing the chances of a failed connection. My growth edge is to continue to slow down, check in with myself (clearing the dreaded 'plank' out of my own eye) before responding to other people.

I guess that finding new trails is another advantage to slowing down, and noticing what is happening around me -- and maybe even choosing to participate in it. So, after hiking 3-4 miles on unknown trails, I made it to the top of the hill that led back to the parking lot and ran into the flower below. It was brilliantly-orange and yellow, looking like a mini-sun growing out of the ground (the shot was taken close to an hour after picked). I walked past it at first, and began celebrating its beauty about 4 steps after I first saw it; I went back for a closer look. I would have just left it on the hill to go on shinning, but I had left my camera at home. I hope you enjoy it too.

Would you be willing to comment on what you are feeling after reading this?