Shouldn’t we have ambition to pursue the exceptional even if it’s out of reach?-Melinda Stevens

The one promising thing about a sabbatical is that you will certainly have time to read. There would be no other book more fitting than this Beauty. I had long heard about this marvel of a journey and the Woman who dared to partake in it. It’s listed on Oprah’s Favorites and has been turned into a movie. I couldn’t wait to dig in. I reserved a copy at my local library and snuggled on the couch while cruising, or rather hiking, with Cheryl.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to dish out too many details that spoil the book. I will however relay one line that totally touched my soul. “Books were the world I could loose myself in when the one I was actually living in became too lonely or harsh or difficult to bear.” Honey when I read that, I yelled “Yes!!!” I use books to escape my reality often. A magazine or book can take me to vast areas creating a whole new mood instantly. This is how I sell the idea of reading to my students. It warmed my heart to hear and read the many moments that Cheryl used the books she carried as her confidante. My books have always been my bestfriend.

This book exemplified the true meaning of Unpluggd. She went out alone and found solace in Nature and her own thoughts. The moments of reflection stirred emotions, but it was wanted and needed. I think we as humans stay busy on purpose. We don’t want to feel the silence. For in that silence, we begin to feel the pain. The sadness. The hurt. But isn’t that life? Can we really tiptoe around storms and not feel them, but expect to feel the ray of sun and rainbows? We try. Eventually the shit catches up with you and you explode. That’s what Cheryl did...she exploded with each step and I was for it all!

From her journey I have learned that I need to be more intentional with my sabbatical, as my months are flying by. I made a more relevant list of things I want to learn more about, including my likes and dislikes. I want to pick up a new skill that involves nature and silence. I want to truly hear my own voice and believe it. We doubt so much about ourselves that we become our worst enemy. Most importantly I want to see the beauty in life, even if the shits painful. Don’t forget to pick up the book from your local book store or library. I recommend paper copy versus electronic. You will want to hold on to it...as the journey is truly Wild.