Why Does The Wilderness Call You?

“The Wilderness is calling and I must go” John Muir

You have seen this quote a million times placed on everything you can think of. But what does it mean?

It’s a great mantra to give you an excuse to escape the day to day pressures. To head out with some friends or even for a solo trip. The pull is to just get out. To retreat or maybe escape.

Many flee to the wilderness as a distraction, a way to forget. A place to shed their troubles on the trail.

Life is so busy now, so many distractions and so many things trying to get our attention. Never ending consumption of information.

I would venture to say that today people scroll more miles than they walk.

Every single day each of us are asked to make exceptions to our thought processes and beliefs. We are asked to consider another angle or another possibility. Which leads to endless “what if’s” and erodes the very foundation of our confidence and assurance in who we are. What our identity truly is.

Critical thinking is not a bad thing, having an open mind is great.

“When you stand for nothing, you fall for everything.” This adage is attributed to Alexander Hamilton

Meaning if you constantly comprise your foundation, you will be tossed around from ideal to ideal. And let’s be honest, when is a mob mentality ever a good thing?

So why does the wilderness call to you?

Why are we seeing record numbers of people flooding into our National Parks?

Yes, Instagram has exposed and opened the eyes of many people who have longed to experience life in a greater way.

But what’s the pull?

These places have always been there. Pictures have existed before Instagram was ever imagined.

I believe it’s because our body, mind and soul are absolutely exhausted.

All of them!

There’s peace in assurance, there’s a confidence in the known.

In my opinion, in today’s world of more information than ever, less is “known”. More people are tossed around like waves in the ocean in their thoughts and beliefs than ever before.

There is a drastic rise in emotions and a drastic fall of assurance.

There’s a quote I love that says, “Learn to sit back and observe, not everything needs a reaction“

I believe that people want simplicity again. There are way too many choices on the menu of life. So many choices that it causes indecision and a constant state of unknown.

I believe the allure and the pull of the wilderness is because of the quiet, it’s because of the simple nature of it all (pun intended).

It’s a place that seems to make sense even if it’s not in an orderly fashion.

Science has shown over and over again the many health benefits of just being in the outdoors, in nature. But there’s a deeper connection. A connection with creation.

It’s a place where the hand of man hasn’t rearranged the surroundings to “benefit” us.

It’s a place where you can sense the presence of God. It’s a place you can relax and quiet your mind and spirit.

Nothing in nature is in a hurry and yet it is always accomplishing what it needs to.

We’re wound too tight and never at rest. Our minds are always on. The gears never stop turning.

So why are you called?

I believe it’s to escape the noise and busyness we have allowed to build in our lives. And that collection of “stuff” occupying our attention has reached a level that’s overwhelming.

I want to encourage you to slow down and reset, restore and recharge.

You can’t be your best when functioning at a limited capacity. We charge our cell phones everyday, sometimes more than once a day. But let our own batteries drain empty.

One of the reasons the Just Add Wilderness events are backpacking trips is to remove each person from the constant vibration of a chaotic life. To slow the mind, to help become less reactionary and more intentional.

I’ve felt it! I would feel like my whole body is just vibrating on the inside, no peace or rest. Just a constant busyness inside.

Sometimes we need a complete reset. If that’s you, join us on our next adventure here in Colorado.