“Not all those who wander are lost.” The quote is one of many posted to the vision board above my desk.

Although J.R.R. Tolkien was assuredly not alluding to directionally-challenged athletes in his poem penned for Lord of the Rings, the English poet’s words ring true for me.

Directionally challenged

I’ve wandered off course on my bike while riding in a circle. I’ve misjudged a turn on a run and ended up at the 10K finish line instead of the 5K. Try as a might, I can never swim to “that rock” in Lake Mercier and back, without somehow going off course.

It’s not attention deficit disorder. Sometimes I get lost in the moment. Lost in the absolute beauty of summertime in Mont-Tremblant.

Nature calls

The eye sees more shades of green than any other colour. And this summer, the greens are just breathtaking.

On today’s hike, I had no destination plotted out in advance. I wandered down an old dirt road strewn with wild flowers. It led to a rarely travelled trail that skirted a mountain stream.

I wound my way into the back woods. A lush and gorgeous green canopy was overhead. Butterflies danced through the dappled sunlight. The only sound was my breath, my footfalls on the soft earth and the trickle of cool water running over mossy rocks.

I was wandering. Exploring. Lost in the moment.

It’s the journey

With the pressure to perform, to top the podium, always to go faster and further… sometimes we don’t get lost often enough.

Many adults think that “wandering” is not productive. I assure you that it is. It’s not the destination that changes us, it’s the journey.

Whether it is a walk, a run, a swim, a bike or a hike, take some time this summer just to get lost.

More from this author by clicking on her photo below.