#19 Growth: Embracing Adventure: A Journey of Growth and Gratitude

In this invigorating episode, we dive into a transformative road trip experience that led to profound personal growth. Join me as I recount the exhilarating journey through Waterton National Park in Alberta, Canada, and Glacier National Park in Montana, USA. The adventure was marked by daring hikes, breathtaking waterfalls, and even a refreshing dip in nature's pool.

Explore the powerful lessons learned about courage, embracing discomfort, and the liberating feeling of being fully present in the moment. Discover the mindset shifts that allowed me to savor every aspect of God's creation, from the awe-inspiring landscapes to the invigorating plunge into a freezing waterfall.

Through this tale, we're reminded to celebrate the abundance and blessings in our lives, cherishing each moment as the best day of our lives. Tune in for an episode that inspires you to live life to the fullest, appreciating the adventures that shape our journey.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of embracing discomfort for personal growth

• Finding courage in the face of the unknown during solo adventures

• Cherishing the blessings and abundance in our lives

• Living fully present in the moment, appreciating life's adventures

Don't miss this insightful episode that encourages you to embrace the adventures that come your way. Remember, today is the best day of your life!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, or whatever your favourite place to listen is! Or Watch on YouTube below!

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Title: Embracing Adventure: A Journey of Growth and Gratitude

I want to share a transformative adventure I recently embarked on. This journey not only brought me closer to nature, but it also helped me grow in unexpected ways. Through stepping out of my comfort zone, I discovered the power of embracing the present moment and celebrating life's blessings.

1. The Road Less Traveled:

I embarked on a unique road trip, venturing beyond my usual routes. My destination was Waterton National Park in Alberta, Canada, a place I had longed to visit for years. The goal was not just to see the sights, but to step into the unknown, facing fears head-on.

2. Courage in Solitude:

Traveling alone, I opted to sleep in the back of my truck for safety. This decision allowed me to focus on exploration rather than setting up camp. Simplifying my provisions, I packed essentials, opting for easy meals and snacks, emphasizing the importance of preparedness.

3. Synchronicity and Reflection:

A surprising coincidence marked the 10-year anniversary of my last Montana trip. This serendipity served as a powerful reminder of life's mysterious intricacies, urging me to reflect on the journey ahead.

4. Trusting Intuition:

Meeting fellow hikers on the trail, I encountered a moment that tested my intuition and courage. A fellow hiker joined me, prompting a self-check on safety. Trusting my instincts, I forged ahead, allowing me to connect and share the adventure.

5. Navigating the Unknown:

Choosing spontaneous exploration over a rigid plan, I embraced the unknown in Waterton National Park. Despite windy conditions, I set out on an uncharted path, discovering hidden gems and breathtaking vistas.

6. Adapting to Challenges:

As wildfires altered my plans, I learned to pivot gracefully. I sought out new experiences, like visiting Red Rock Canyon, turning unexpected changes into opportunities for growth.

7. Embracing the Unexpected:

One of the most memorable moments was taking a plunge into the freezing waters of Red Rock Falls. Despite the initial shock, this act of spontaneity and surrender to nature left me feeling alive and blessed.

8. Living in the Present:

This adventure taught me the importance of being present. Amidst life's challenges, every moment is a gift. Embracing the here and now allows us to appreciate the richness of life.

This journey was a celebration of growth, courage, and gratitude. It reminded me that the best day of our lives is today, regardless of past struggles or future uncertainties. Embracing adventure, both big and small, opens us up to a world of possibilities and reminds us of the preciousness of each moment.

Transcription:

00:00 I want to share a little bit about the trip I went on and the growth I've done going through that trip and after the fact. If you listen to the episode, I talked about stepping into the trip and my road trip and some of those pieces, the fear that was coming up and having courage and bravery. Now I want to talk about it kind of from that flip side and kind of revisit that because I think there's... 00:29 I think is worth sharing. So I went on a road trip, not my normal road trips, just down to visit my friends. This was an adventure road trip where I knew I wanted to go specifically to Waterton National Park in Alberta, because I had never been, and I've wanted to go for years, which is its own story. And then I also wanted to cross the border down into Montana and get to explore and see some of the places down there. 00:58 in Glacier National Park and around there because I had never been. And I had only like driven across the border once before, 10 years ago. Now, really cool side note was as I was on the trip, my second day in Montana marked the 10 year anniversary since the last time I had driven down across the border into Montana. And it kind of blew my mind a little bit that it was like, 01:26 the exact same days. Like it wasn't like, oh, last week 10 years ago or last week or next week 10 years ago will be, you know, whatever that is. Like the exact, I only was in Montana for two days. So the exact days, like that, it's just a little bit crazy to me how those things, and I see that happen often in my life. But that's just a little aside. So, so I packed up my truck and I knew 01:56 I was going by myself, didn't really have a plan for what I was doing or where I was staying. I knew if I needed to, I would get a campsite, but I was planning on sleeping in the back seat of my truck because I was by myself. I knew I'd be out in the mountains and there's lots of bears and lots of wildlife and lots of crazy people, quite frankly. And it's nice to be able to not just be in the walls of a tent, but to be able to lock your doors and be in the cab of your truck. 02:23 And just easier because I knew I wanted to spend as much time like hiking and exploring and driving and Not like setting up my tent and taking down my tent and like, you know setting up campsite and because of it was only going to be Like three days. I also wasn't packing like, you know all the campground food. My plan was, you know, I've got my complete meal shakes and you know some snacks and other things and then 02:51 I was kind of gonna stop for one big meal a day and somewhere cool and different, whatever. And that was kind of the plan. And then I've got protein bars and whatever, like very simple, pack my beef jerky and my apples and call it good. I don't need complicated to survive, right? So, and I also was then going to my friends after the fact for an extended time again. So I didn't wanna have all this extra stuff with me. And I was trying to 03:21 make sure, well, I just had to fit it all in my truck. So I was sleeping in the backseat of my truck and that was kind of, there's the picture painted for you. So took off on my adventure and the first day I drove down to Waterton, again, didn't have a plan. I knew, I had looked at like spots, places to see, I knew there were hikes I wanted to do, but I really was just going with exploring and kind of seeing just like... 03:49 just really kind of going off of like, well, that looks neat. Let's, you know, I think that's something I'd like to do. Let's do that. Because I'm by myself. And so I don't have to, I don't have other people with me where we have to like make a plan and have that. And to step into like courage and bravery and uncomfortable things of not having a plan of where I was gonna stay or what I was doing really pushed me. So took off on my trip and you know, 04:17 all the beautiful scenery all the way down. It was a little overcast, so I couldn't see the mountains as much as I wanted to. Got down to Waterton and got into the park and went and sat by the lake. It was really windy. There was no, I was planning on hopefully paddle boarding. There was, I was like, there's no way I'm paddle boarding today. So I was like, okay, let's go for a hike. So I looked up hikes on the app I use that has like, 04:44 called the All Trails app, has lots of great, has all your hikes and how difficult they are and how long they are and all these different things. And I was like, cool. So found this one and I was like, let's just do it, right? I knew I didn't have a ton of time. It was already in the afternoon and the weather was nice. It was breezy, but the sun was shining. And I was like, okay, let's do this hike. So grab my, what I like to call it, Dora the Explorer backpack with my hunting knife and my bear spray and some granola bars and my water. 05:13 some extra pink drink and my natural energy and threw my raincoat in just in case, which I'm really thankful I did, and took off on the trail. And there were lots of other people out there. It was great. I went up to this one lookout point. I was like, cool, kid, this has been fun. Like, let's keep going. Started out on this longer trail and I was like, I can make this. Like, I should be able to make it. I was asking people on the way, like as I was meeting them on the trail, how's the trail? You know, have you seen any bears? 05:42 because there were people in signs that kept saying, oh, watch out for bears, watch out for bears. So I was like just, you know, asking people who were on the trail and they're like, no, no, it's all good, you know? And I was like, well, how long did it take to get to the end? And they're like, well, how far? Like how far? And I was like, well, like, I don't know, where do I wanna go? Kind of like, which stop? And they're like, oh, you can totally do this like round trip, four hours. And I was like, okay, sweet. So, I mean, they were like elderly people and stuff like that. So I'm like, I'm pretty sure I can do this in way less time than that. 06:11 because they weren't like super hiker people by the look of it, like at all. And so I'm booking it up this mountain and it's starting to get steep, whatever. And I'm passing, like meeting people on the trail. And I came up on this lady and looked like her two kids and then this guy who looked like to be her husband and which was, and... 06:36 And I like, you know, say excuse me and get past them and whatever. And they were trying to decide, I could hear them talking about like, who's going up and who's going down or, you know. And I just keep going. And then all of a sudden I hear the guy say, well, I'm gonna keep going. And then like not long after that, he's like, you don't mind if I hike with you, do you? And I like, I like look under, I'm like, there's no one in front of me. And I like kind of turned around and I'm like, there's no one else behind me other than him. 07:06 And I'm like, are you talking to me? He's like, yeah. And so I was like, oh. And I'm like, in that moment, there's that like gut check of I'm a single female on a trail with a knife and bear spray. Headed out into the wilderness. It's afternoon, so most people are already headed back. The weather is nice. I don't know how long it's gonna hold out for. I have no clue who this dude is. Like he appears to be with this. 07:35 lady and kids. Like he doesn't look sketchy or scary. 07:42 am I gonna die, right? I mean, but also at the same time, he could hike behind me. We didn't have to like hike together. For him to hike behind me on the trail the whole time, like he still could have just been behind me and that probably would have been more creepy, right? Than him talking to me. So, you know, you go through that, like those mental safety checks kinda in your head and I'm like, yeah, sure. So I'm like, well, I think it's better to talk to you than just have somebody like creep in behind you, right? 08:10 You can get a better sense for them and stuff, right? And if it's not panning out, or if I'm not feeling safe with his answers, or just in chatting, I can always say, well, this is as far as I'm going, I'm turning around, the weather, my blisters, or whatever, right? So anyways, kept on hiking with him behind me, and we started chatting, and we talked all the way, and it was really nice to have somebody else on the trail with me, to be honest. 08:40 we got up to this beautiful lake, Bertha Lake, and there was no one else up there. And there was no service, of course. And so the whole time I'm like, hey God, protect me, keep me safe, right? And I'm feeling, you know, like everything, I was feeling safe, he seemed really nice, and I made sure to talk about his kids and his wife lots, but you never know, right? And so anyways, get up to the lake and there was some service. So I sent my friends a Snapchat of like, 09:09 the back of his head and I was like, if I don't come back, this is who I was hiking with. Anyways, needless to say, obviously made it back safe and he's a nice guy, sent me some pictures he took of me in the waterfalls and stuff and had a great time and got rained on on the way down. So anyways, that was like the first part of the adventure. Now Ben went and found food and you know, it's all the things that 09:38 come up there slightly uncomfortable. Sitting in a restaurant by yourself, for a lot of people is totally unfamiliar and uncomfortable. And so, going and doing those things brings up different feelings. And sometimes you're like, oh, I'd have no problem doing that until you do it. And so it's always really good for me to be like, well, why wouldn't I? And to go do that and step into that. So, but then the campground was full. It was starting, like it was evening. 10:07 there wasn't really like the campground in Waterton was full. And because it's a national park, you're not allowed just to like park in a parking lot or something. They don't allow that because there's so many people that do that or used to do that, I guess. So, um, I was like, well, where do I go? So I asked my waitress, I was like, where can I just like random camping? Where can I go? Um, and she's like, well, there's like random camping not far from like to the West. If you, you know, you'd have to go out of the park. Um, 10:35 but I didn't really want to go back into the West because I was headed south across the border into Montana the next morning. And so she's like, there's also like, she's like lots of people just go out on the gravel roads around like just outside of the park and find, you know, a quiet back road or whatever and find a spot to park. And I'm like, okay, like this is wildly uncomfortable and super unfamiliar and feels really sketchy, but also like... 11:04 What's unsafe, like where, what's the unsafe pieces? Am I actually unsafe? What does this look like? Because no matter where you are, whether you're in a campground or not, like doesn't mean you're safe, right? So I went out trying to find a back road that wasn't somebody's driveway, which proved to be a little bit difficult, but I found this approach next to a natural area that was... 11:33 out of the park and on a fairly deserted road and had a really nice view of the mountains. So I parked there for the night and survived. This is why I was sleeping in my truck with the doors locked. For all anybody knew, there was just a truck parked in the approach. Somebody had parked their vehicle there for a night or whatever. Again, God's protection. But I guess people do a lot. 12:03 more sketchy things. And so just keeping that always like, okay, am I safe? What's unsafe about this? What's my gut telling me? Those pieces, which my gut is my intuition, which is gut, just for the record. So that was night one. So I woke up the next morning and I was like, okay. And then, you know, chatting with friends, you know, on social media along the way and stuff. And one of my friends reminded me that I really wanted to go to Red Rock Canyon in Waterton. And so before I headed for the border, 12:31 I went and hit Red Rock Canyon, which was gorgeous. I'd highly recommend it if you ever are in that area. Both the hike and that Red Rock Canyon was beautiful. Highly recommend. So got to enjoy that. And I went right down into the canyon and got to take some cool pictures and stuff like that. And then packed up and headed for the border. And I mean, it had been 10 years since I crossed the border, like, 13:00 on land, I fly places obviously, but it had been a long time since I'd driven across. And so I'd been Googling beforehand, what am I allowed to take? Can I take bear spray? All those different pieces, right? But you never know how that's going to go. Anyways, it's totally fine. I think they always, I always say really silly things because I'm nervous and I'm pretty sure they just, the border guards just laugh at me big time, but that's okay. I'm like, I just, I don't want to do anything wrong, right? You're like so worried that you're going to like... 13:29 there's something wrong and you're going to get in trouble or something. Ah, that's my silly brain. Anyways, so made it across and, and I had wanted to do, and I had heard for years about the going to the sun road. And so I did it and it was incredible and breathtaking and it was such a fun drive. So drove over and basically drive over like right through Glacier National Park. 13:58 and got to the other side. Now I'd had, I didn't have a plan, again, I didn't have a plan where I was staying that night. And again, I knew there were campgrounds and I knew there were options in that. But again, I was like, okay, well there's friends that told me there's lots of random camping out there, kind of the same as, you know, it's just forestry land or whatever and you can go out there, which is my jam. I'd rather that than be in a campground, right? So I'd heard about a few places. 14:24 And so then, and then a friend had recommended going to this, this one little kind of dive bar restaurant. And so I went there and got supper and was talking to my waitress again. And I was telling, I was saying, okay, like, I think I'm going to go out to Hungry Horse Dam and, you know, hopefully go paddle boarding and go out there, whatever. And, and she's like, Oh, well like the, there's fires. You're not going to be able to get anywhere close to that. And so, 14:53 I was like, it's like five, six o'clock at night. I have nowhere to stay. I don't really know where I am. My phone wasn't working like hardly at all because there's really sketchy service, even though I had like my roaming on and stuff, but really sketchy service. And I was like, what am I doing? And like, there's all those emotions where I'm like, do I just drive all the way around and drive all the way, like cross the border and drive all the way to my friend's house and like. 15:22 just call it good at that and kind of piece out on this whole adventure thing because gosh this feels kind of scary. And she, I was like, well, do you have any recommendations of where I could go then? And she's like, oh, let me ask the owner. He knows more around here. And so he gave me, you know, told me to go back to this, you know, turn at the ranger station and go, you know, go here and go there and go down this trail. 15:50 and you'll end up right by the river and it's really peaceful and there's only room for like a couple vehicles in there. And so, but once again, taking directions and a recommendation from somebody that I don't know brings up a lot of that safety check in your mind, right? Like, is this person telling me a place that's actually safe for me? Or am I gonna get murdered in the middle of the night because somebody knows where I'm staying? Or somebody's friends are gonna be down there waiting for me? 16:20 Like there's so many things that could be, right? And unsafe situations. And as much as I'm all for adventures and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you know, like I'm not trying to die here, right? And so, so I kind of like, I kind of asked him, you know, what everyone was like, listening to what he was saying and just kind of, you know, did that gut check again, right? That intuition like, hey God, am I safe? 16:48 is this safe? So I'm like, well, I'll go check it out and just see, right? And go from there. Worst case scenario, I know there's spots at the camp, one of the campgrounds, I can figure that out, right? So anyways, ended up, went down there. It was a beautiful spot right by the river. There was one other vehicle down there and that was a little sketchy, but they were out. They took their little raft thing out onto the river and they were fishing. And I kind of went a little bit further down the trail. 17:18 just kind of nodded at them and let us, we just kind of went our own separate ways. And so I sat by the river for the evening and just relaxed. It was really peaceful and really nice. Walked her, like did a little hike around, walk around, whatever. Saw a black bear. So right behind, like the road was pretty close to where I was. But then there was like a mountain that pretty much went straight up behind the road. And so as I was out walking around, I like look up on the side of this 17:47 mountain and there's this black bear and I'm like cool cool cool like that's not far away from me at all. I wasn't worried about where I was right then but I was like good to know we are yeah we're not pitching our tent tonight and not leaving anything smelly outside my truck and so that and then so I went to go get ready for bed. I was pretty tired too it had been like a full day and right before I went to like go to sleep two gunshots went off. 18:17 And I have no service down there again. There's no service down by the river. And so there's this moment where I'm like, hey God, like whether it's, you know, these people that were kind of down there or these gunshots, like it's not hunting season yet. I don't know. Like I'm in a different country. What's going on? This is, this is kind of sketchy. And so, but I got to, you know, you just. 18:45 pray and trust that God has his hand on you and be courageous and not like pack up and go home right there. So went to sleep, woke up, the sketchy people were gone. You know, the bear hadn't tried to eat my truck and I was still alive. There were no bullet holes in the side of my truck. We were fine. And so we continued on our journey. But because of those fires, 19:14 All my plans of paddleboarding and everything once again were totally like kibosh, right? And I was like, well, now what am I going to do? Like, I don't want to just like go shopping or something for the day. Like I wanted to do more hikes, at least if I couldn't paddleboard. And so I looked at the one little map that I had that the lady had given me, like because you have to like check in to get to do that. Going to the Sun Road. Yeah, there only allows certain amount of vehicles on there. Anyways. And so I she'd given me this 19:44 map that wasn't, I mean it was helpful, but it wasn't super detailed at all. And so I found this one spot over kind of back over on the east glacier, which is where I needed to kind of get over to anyways because I needed to get back to my friends. And so because I was over on the west side. So I found this one spot where it had a lot, it looked like there was lots of different waterfalls and some hiking trails and I was like, okay, I have to drive around anyways, let's go there. So 20:12 Did the drive around and got there and went to this one little set of waterfalls and was like, okay, that's cute. Like, you know, took me like five minutes to hike to. Now what? And so drove further kind of in and ended up hiking 14 kilometers. Got to go, you know, sit in more waterfalls and found this really awesome lookout point. And then went down kind of this extra trail, not extra trail, but more. 20:40 more trails, separate trail, and hiked way back into these waterfalls, these beautiful waterfalls called Red Rock Falls. I got there and for some reason, not for some reason, but for some reason, I had thrown my swimsuit into my Dora the Explorer backpack. 21:03 Cause I was like, well, you know, if I find some place that I want to go swimming or something, then, you know, at least I have that option. Right? Didn't throw a towel in, had no intentions of actually going swimming. I really, I have, I always have seen people on social media or heard about people going swimming in, you know, glacier lakes or going swimming in waterfalls. And growing up, I did father daughter pack trips with my dad. 21:28 and we went swimming in Glacier Lakes. We'd like way out, you know, for the day after we'd packed in. And then we went up to this glacier lake called Blue Lake. And it's one of my favorite childhood memories. And someday I'll get back out there to Blue Lake. Such a special place in my heart. But so I got to these falls and I was like, I've always wanted to go swimming in waterfalls and like. Whatever, it's a total silly kind of. 21:57 white girl, like, dare I say, you know, lots of influencers do it and whatever. And I'm not trying to be any of those things, but I was like, I just have always seen it. I was like, that would be so fun and so cool to do. And I was like, I'm here. Now, here's the thing. I was running short on time because I needed to meet up with a friend for dinner on my way back to my friend's house. And I had to be back at my friend's across the border that night so that a special little birthday girl could wake up. 22:27 And Auntie Sam was there for her the next morning. So I knew I had a time limit But I was like this is your one chance like you could say oh next time you'll do it But who knows when next time will be or if it ever will happen, right? And so I went, you know crawled up behind the waterfalls and found a kind of private spot and threw on my swimsuit came back down again there was no one there came back down and there's like 22:50 this couple there and then these other three ladies I'd been kind of hiking with or like passing on and off on the trail as we kind of did the same route together. They were up there and then there was another couple up there and I was like, okay, gosh, I'm not trying like again, I'm not trying to be special or like, ooh, look at me. I'm, you know, like this out there person or something. Um, it was just something that I really wanted to do and I checked myself on that like from a mindset perspective. It was that 23:17 Is this what I want? Am I trying to show off and like, ooh, look at this girl in a bikini in the waterfalls? And I was like, that's not it at all. This is for me and something that I have wanted to do, and people can think whatever they want and that's okay. But this is something that I wanna do. And so graciously, this one lady took pictures of me and so I hopped in this. 23:44 into the waterfalls and into the pool at the bottom, and it was freezing cold, but it was so good. And there's this moment where you're like, oh, it's gonna be so cold. You don't wanna do that. It's like glacier freezing cold. And why would you wanna do that? 24:03 you feel so alive. Like literally because your body's like borderline has hypothermia instantly and in shock. But there is just something so cool and so special about being like way back in the bush and having done all this hiking and this whole kind of adventure for three days. You know, well two and a half days, two days and three quarters, whatever. 24:33 And this was kind of like the capstone to it. And there was something, there's just something really, oh, like so deep that when you push yourself to do those things, right? And it's like, well, this is silly. You're like, well, can't you just look at the waterfalls or it's gonna be freezing cold. Why do you wanna do that? You don't have enough time, you know, like. 25:01 You know, you don't want to, you're not trying to be, whatever, all those, all that head trash kind of stuff again, instead of like, something that I really work to embrace and step into is like living full out and taking in the experiences and those moments that you're like, well, why wouldn't I do this? Like I have my swimsuit. It's not like I was trying to go skinny dipping in these waterfalls. And I was scared that somebody was going to come over. 25:30 you know, show up there. I have my swimsuit. Why wouldn't I go experience what that's like, right? We hear all the time about people doing cold plunges every morning for the fun of it and how good that is for our bodies. And so there was just this moment of like, just letting go, letting go of the expectation or like the shoulds or like what's proper or whatever else. And just kind of embracing 25:59 that like God's beautiful creation and to feel like, I guess just how blessed, how incredibly blessed am I that I could do all this hiking, that I could have the vehicle to do this trip and have breath in my lungs and brain cells in my brain and feet in my shoes to be able to hike all the way out there and. 26:25 explore and experience God's creation and breathe in the beautiful air and then to hop in that freezing cold water with these beautiful waterfalls and you feel so alive in that moment because gosh darn it you're cold but and then afterwards like I mean the blood coursing through your like there's just something different about it and that probably sounds 26:54 If it's not something you've done before, that might sound totally out there and very silly. But it was a beautiful, incredible experience. And it was such, just a capstone. And the whole trip was a celebration, I think of the struggle and the hard and the ick that I've got to work through over the 10 years in between those two trips to Montana. 27:24 Um, and. 27:30 I have a whole other episode around another piece of this. But that adventuring piece, that living, living full out and not taking a second for granted that God has given us to make an impact. Now it's not all like fun and games and, you know, hiking up to waterfalls and swimming in waterfalls and going on random road trips by any means. That's just like, to me, that celebration. 27:58 the same as the way I get to show up for this podcast, the way I get to share the growth that I've experienced and step into that growth and hopefully in sharing, creating an impact and creating a ripple. And I had a friend again this morning and someone that I work with in all sorts of different capacities send me a message and just tell me again, the impact that how I show up and 28:26 having this podcast and these pieces makes on people and on this individual and. 28:35 It's that moment of like, again, I don't think I'm anyone special. I just work to embrace fully who God created me to be and the season of life that I'm in. And I get to do these things. And I want to feel and celebrate whether it's God's create and God's creation in every aspect of that. The fact that, you know, I'm able to form words and have this podcast. The fact that I'm... 29:03 you know, am able to go on random road trips, the fact that I'm able to see God's creation and, you know, breathe in the beautiful clean air and feel that freezing cold water and feel that freezing cold water on every part of my body. Like so many people don't have that luxury and that blessing, you know, whether it's health or any of those things. And so when I look at the struggle that I've gone through and where my, you know, my health stuff, and I mean, my struggle is so small. 29:33 compared to what so many people go through. But there's still been struggle with it, right? And so... 29:42 to just fully embrace and fully soak up the blessed, the abundance in my life and to live and to hopefully be a light for that to show up even in the midst of hard and stressful and icky things and all those different pieces. There's so much good. And to live and embrace this life that we're given. 30:10 because it's so short and we never know. Something that my coach brought up to me a couple of years ago was, today is the best day of your life because yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not guaranteed. And so right now, in this moment, is the best day of your life, even on your worst day. 30:39 your worst day is still your best day because there's no guarantee. Tomorrow is not guaranteed and yesterday is done and over. And as someone who used to, who dreams a lot and so often lives in the future, but also can live out of the past and get stuck in the past and in past cycles, instead of being really present in this very moment and in this very season of life, instead of wishing I was here, wishing I was there, whatever that is. 31:09 to be absolutely in the moment that God has put me in and knowing that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. Right now, right now. 31:22 feels so good. And to embrace that and to embody that and to show up for that, not go well tomorrow or next week or next year or next month or maybe someday or to be stuck in that past of like all those things, to let pieces hold you back, just to fully step into that is so, so life-giving and 31:53 I like I can't describe it. So anyways Needless to say it was an incredible trip. It pushed me So far outside of my comfort zone And pushed me to do uncomfortable things And to fully embrace that Even hiking alone alone that much right like there's so many um Unknowns and you know potential consequences 32:23 things that could go wrong. And so really just trusting and stepping into. 32:31 I trust and I trust my instinct which is God and and to step into that and to 32:44 to sit in that and to show up with joy and peace. So the rest of my trip was absolutely incredible. I got to spend incredible time celebrating a beautiful birthday girl and got to ride my horses, my old horses, and got to ride bareback like almost every morning, which was a whole nother celebration. And that'll be a separate podcast for another day. But it was so incredible and got to spend so much time loving on 33:12 You know, being Auntie Sam and loving on so many kids and some really amazing time with my friend and her husband and conversation and other friends down there was so, so good. And such a, just a time of feeling like living. And I say that with a little bit of caution because I fully believe that even in the routine in the seemingly mundane, you can live. 33:40 But I think it's so important to shake things up and to do something unfamiliar and uncomfortable and outside of that routine and that mundane and the same thing, to remember what it's like to feel alive and not go, okay, well, when we reach this or when the kids get older or when we make this much money or when we get to this place and work or when we get the promotion or whatever those things are, to not wait for that someday and just to go, 34:09 Right now today, I have the opportunity to do this and I'm gonna go full out and full in on this. So I hope this episode, feel like I went a lot of places with this, but being present, stepping into courage and bravery, doing the uncomfortable and pushing yourself, it's so healthy and so good for growth to do uncomfortable, unfamiliar things, whatever that is in your life. So I hope this has been encouraging. 34:39 And there's the story on the flip side of my trip. So we will see you all again soon.