The True Credit

"Erin,” he said, "it's fine if you want to turn all of this into a trail run. Go as fast as you want to go. But somewhere along the way, remember to slow down enough to take the time to see what's actually around you.”

I once took a hiking and orienteering class in college. We spent time outdoors carrying packs on our backs in the mountains and trails, learning to navigate, and trek miles upon miles.

Sometimes our destination was an overlook with a one-of-a-kind view to quietly soak in for as long as we wished to stay before heading back into what our teacher called "the noise". These were the hikes that I learned that silence often speaks for itself.

Sometimes our destination was right back where we started after making a big loop of climbs and descents, switchback after switchback, as we followed tricky trail markers. These were the hikes that I learned what we faced during the entire journey of the loop was really our true destination all along.

I often think back to what my teacher told me.

Fast has its purpose in the moments you’re racing time; but time is always going to win if you never slow down enough to appreciate it. The true credit I gained from this class was never the mark on my transcript.