Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. - Max Ehrmann



Yesterday I decided to head out east because the mountains were calling out to me. The sun was out in full force and I was excited to hit the trails for a run through the snow. As the strength of the mountains surrounded me during my drive, I thought about how nature serves as an outlet for me to let go of whatever is weighing me down. When I am immersed in the security of Mother Nature, I am fully present to what is and I don't dwell on what isn't or what should be.



A major path of my spiritual journey has entailed letting go of expectations. What I have learned is that you need to allow life to unfold in whatever way it's meant to as well as fully immerse yourself in whatever is happening before you. Since patience hasn't always come easily to me (and still doesn't), I have struggled with wanting things to happen according to my timeline. I had my life mapped out based on what I thought should happen at a certain point in time. What I have recognized however is that life happens as it should, not always as you may have planned.



When we don't appreciate the life that is unfolding before us, we miss the beauty around us. Nature has taught me to be present and calm instead of agonizing over what did or did not happen in the past or worry about what may or may not happen in the future. When I am in nature, I feel completely free and alive. I focus on the sights and sounds around me and disengage myself from any attachments that are preventing me from being fully immersed in the now.



During this New Year, it's important to ask yourself, "What do I need to let go of in 2011?" As I drove through the mountains, I let go of trying to force life and instead reminded myself to allow events to unfold in due time. I have found myself to be most happy and content when I don't have any expectations but instead just appreciate every single minute during my joy ride through

life!  If we are sucked into the past or pulled into the future, we will easily miss out on the sun smiling above us, the birds in flight before us, and the winding road that lies right ahead of us.