Fearless Friday: Say "Yes" To Life And Watch What Shows Up

Last night I said YES to doing did an aggressive night hike in North Vancouver with four other men.

That's right. A night hike. Where you wear or carry a light and walk in the wilderness for a truly unique forest experience.

Two things:

First: I was one of the weakest links in the group due to my present state of conditioning. Compared to the other men that do this hike multiple times a week, I was not quite prepared for the level of elevation we would be climbing. Sure, I am back at the gym, but this trail was not for the faint of heart. The quads and respiratory system were pushed to the max!

Second: Wrong shoes. I don't have hikers or anything close to it as I have been travelling most of my time and only have dress shoes and dress runners for walking the streets and promenades of Europe. So I borrowed a pair of my Dad's hiker/runners. They fit great but not perfectly. I should have had a thicker sock as I had some serious hammer toe on the down grades.

All of that didn't matter once we got to our destination of White Lake. Once the lights were off, and the eyes adjusted, it was like being in the movie Avatar -The old growth forest just came alive!

Then Tim ( a grammy nominated singer songwriter) brought out his small acoustic guitar he'd carried in a backpack and treated us with some soul stirring songs that were perfect for the moment. The "I am The Wolf" song had us howling in unison deep in the woods. The owls and coyotes answered back once our voices stopped echoing in the valley. The sound was haunting, beautiful and incredible.

On the way back we stopped at a bridge over a rushing creek. The moon now fully free from the clouds. After our lights were turned off, the forest once again did it's magic. There was a luminescence that the trees and moss gave off, and with the din of the water below us, I thought there could not be 5 other men in this realm experiencing a moment quite like this. This to me was true wealth. This was brotherhood, connection and being present to the moment. And what a gift this was.

Brothers, this is the magic of saying "Yes!" to life's opportunities. The most fearless thing you can do is show up anyway and let the experience be what it is.

Yes, I had to "embrace the suck." I had to get out of my head that these men were way more conditioned and experienced night hikers than I was. I had to push myself to the limit to keep up and not complain. I also embraced that I can set my own pace if I need to. There was no judgement, drama or impatience.

As a result of saying "YES", I got an experience few can compete with.

Where do you need to say "Yes" more in your life?

Where have you kicked yourself out of the game without even giving it a chance?

Where have you denied yourself the shift you know would make a difference, but defaulted to laziness and comfort?

This is your life, Brother. Source wants you to experience your highest and greatest expression, so it will give your opportunities for you to choose your path. However, if you say "No" most of the time, those opportunities for greatness will be fewer and fewer.

Say "Yes!" Brother!

You've got this!

Be Remarkable!

Coach Dwayne

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