OmPi's Adventures

Well I have continued to absorb info over weeks. The Good Badger's book (Appalachian Trials) can now be crossed off my list. If you are unfamiliar with Good Badger or his book, I strongly recommend it and for those who are serious about ensuring you complete the trail, it is the only book I have found that focuses on the mental and psychological preparation for the AT.

One of the suggestions of Badger to mentally prepare is to complete an exercise which requires you to ponder, meditate, reflect on, and complete 3 simple statements regarding your goal of a Thru-Hike. He suggests taking at least 10-15 minutes on each statement and then actually write your reflections down, make a list, and bring it with you on the trail. He recommends reviewing it regularly especially while you are on the trail and more importantly when you are facing challenges and your own Appalachian Trials.

1. I am Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail because... (This should focus on reasons for hiking the trail. I considered the question why do the trail now?)
• Life is short and later may never come!
• I need a break from excess connectivity and reevaluate what really matters.
• In spite of all the good in my life something is missing.
• I desire different experiences, people and challenges in my life.
• My life often feels boring and I desire an AWESOME adventure and more thrills.
• I want to Pursue the Unknown.
• The trap of Consumerism is building within me and I want to live "Less is More".
• I feel at home and "connected" when in nature.


2. When I successfully Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail, I will... (This should focus on personal benefits I will experience/acquire once completing the trail.)
• Have new friends with whom to share life's passions, joys and sorrows.
• Obtain new skills that will make me more successful in life.
• Better understand myself, nature, and the Divine.
• Have Life Long Memories that the effects of Dementia will never be able to erase.
• Be a More Positive Impact in the World.
• Know that I can do anything, even if it is unknown or difficult
• Have disciplined my body and mind which will help me be more successful in other areas of my life.
• Create new opportunities in my own life.
• Be a part of an Elite Community of men and women.


3. If I give up on the Appalachian Trail, I will...(These are the negative emotions and perceptions you will have of yourself if you quit. For this I question how will I feel about myself if I give up?)
• Feel Defeated and Weak.
• Lose confidence in myself and my abilities to accomplish future goals.
• Have proven those who doubted me right.
• Let down those who believed in me or lived vicariously through me.
• Be stuck in a cycle of meaningless nonsense.

This powerful exercise is sure to be effective not only for accomplishing your goal of completing the AT but can also be applied to any of your other life goals.

-OmPi (ॐ π)