Category: adventure

#signs, #spiritual, #teamwork, adventure, Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Canoe Tipping, Loons and the Portage to Nowhere

emyminzel

Lessons Through Joy!

Chapter 4

Authored by Emy Minzel

After our first portage we felt invigorated, and proud of ourselves. Something as simple as crossing an unknown path and coming out to a majestic lake atmosphere reminds me of the true meaning of life. No hustle and bustle of the daily grind, this was what the ‘real world’ supposed to be. Yet, we still had to work to do, to get where we were going.

Team work was a lesson that kept reoccurring in my life. Carrying the supplies together through 3 portages made light work getting to our campsite. We only had to make two trips to cross the portages the first year. Looking back, I believe it was the Universe taking it easy on us. It was the perfect trip to get me hooked and addicted to her beauty and slow flow.

We camped on Bass Lake and true to its name, it was well stocked. I remember dropping breadcrumbs at the shore of the boulder beach in the evenings watching them waiting for morsels, like my pets. I have a fondness for loons, and they were everywhere. Laughing their loony laugh in the morning, singing a lingering lullaby each night. There were loon families passing by our campsite consistently. It felt very synchronistic. At the time I was living on Loon Drive.  

We let the loons guide us to fishing spots. Figuring they were the experts on knowing where the fish were. As I cast my line. Stacy said to me “Be careful honey, you don’t want to catch a loon.”

I had not even thought about that. “Oh, Geeze! … you’re right. Thank you!”

She knew me well, and my animal loving heart would have been beside myself had I snagged a loon by being careless. Not to mention it is very illegal. We love and protect the Minnesota State Bird dontchyaknow! 

During one of these fishing excursions, we were catching fish left and right. We would help each other net the fish. Then take it off the hook for one another so we wouldn’t rock the boat. I caught a fish and while Stacy was leaning over the side of the boat to scoop it in the net. We both leaned a little too much and before we knew what happened the canoe was tipping over.

It felt like slow motion. I was looking at her. She was looking at me. Both of us had eyes wide as owls. There was no time for words. Stacy intuitively did what had to do at the time to keep the boat from sinking. She willingly took a header into the lake to save the boat and everything in it. SPLOOSH!

Stacy went in the drink… still the canoe was taking on water quickly. Sinking a rented canoe and our only way back to civilization is just not a good idea. I quickly leaned to the right doing my best to get the canoe level. Before we knew it, Stacy was in the water, and the canoe had about a foot of water in it.

Stacy is a Pisces; I tease her about being part mermaid because she loves to be in the water. That is one of my favorite things about our friendship. Having fun friends to play in the water with is a blessing I cherish. Thank goodness for her natural ability to swim and fortunately the water was warm that year.

I looked at her with a face full of worry. “Oh Sh**! Are you ok?!”

Still processing the surprise of being in the water she replied. “Yep, I’m good!”

The sudden aftershock of it got her giggling. As she held on to the side of the canoe and I paddled to the jagged shoreline. She was laughing the whole way. Once I knew she was ok, I started laughing too, and then we just couldn’t stop. Both giggling and laughing uncontrollably.  

We had to try several times and in different locations to empty the canoe. We really did a number. Pulling the waterlogged canoe up on the steep, woody, rocky shoreline wasn’t easy. We’d try to lift the front of the canoe, then the back of it wanted to sink and take on more water…it was so darn heavy. With teamwork, we finally accomplished it; while laughing! Thankfully, we can still chuckle about this event.

Being the spiritual women we are. We are continuously looking for meaning and signs in our everyday lives. I believe Spirit doesn’t always use words to communicate. It can utilize people, places, animals, music, signs, events, etc. to get my attention. This belief has helped us grow more in tune with ourselves, each other and our connection to the Universe/Spirit.

I believe the giggling reaction was a divinely guided instinctive response… a therapeutic laugh! Our souls knew we must release the tension of that starling experience. The laughter vibrationally dispersed the energy of anxiety instead of allowing it to stay with us. I believe it was a celestial intervention so we could continue to adventure together again and with trust.

Loons are water birds. Water is connected to intuition, emotions and divine feminine energy. The message from the beautiful birds was to begin going deeper within myself. It was also a sign to start analyzing my dreams and decipher triggers that stir up big feelings.

We believe dreams we have while sleeping are our subconscious communicating with us. To this day Stacy and I will share poignant dreams texting one another to help us process the meaning of them. Acknowledging these subliminal messages has connected us deeply to trust our higher consciousness.  

The prominent presence of the loon our first year was a significant sign. Guiding me to the beginning of my spiritual awakening. It was the year I was able to start doing the inner work of releasing fears, and self-limiting patterns. I took the loons advice and started diving deep into the mysteries of my soul. Learning to acknowledge my intuition and trust the guidance of my instincts deeply over the years.

Speaking of receiving signs from above… They say you get what you ask for. This rang true for me on our first BWCA Adventure. On the day we tipped the canoe; I was starting to get a little overconfident. I figured we portaged no problem, set up camp like champs, and made a fire with damp wood. We were rocking this adventure!  

For some reason after completing a task I kept saying… “Does anyone know any hard games?!”

That day I got what I asked for. Yet, because I had asked a few times… the Universe kept giving.

It was still our first trip to the BWCA and the second day. We decide we wanted to adventure to the next lake over. We packed a day pack, with water and granola bars and headed south on the canoe until we saw a clear path. We paddle the canoe to shore; Stacy hiked the canoe up on her shoulders and we began hiking.

We must have walked a mile or more in portage mode. Passing a few hikers on the way. Some of them did look at us with concern and somewhat confused. But we did not know we were not on the intended trail. After a while I was starting to get suspicious that we may not be going where we thought we were headed? Stacy lowered the canoe, and we left it on the side of the path while we hiked up the trail further.

After a trek we consulted the map again, discovering we must have read it wrong. This time we saw the trail we were on was only leading to more trails. If we wanted to get to another lake, we would be hiking/portaging for quite a few more miles. We had just embarked on a long “portage to nowhere.”

As we say here in Minnesota… OPE!

Darn! We had to turn around and head back to where we came from. I was annoyed at first, thinking I could/should do better. I have been the map reader for most of the time on our trips. It’s something I enjoy and usually do well. This was our first adventure and at the time I considered it unacceptable that I let this happen.

I wasn’t perturbed because we went on a ‘portage to nowhere”. I was upset because I know how important it is to read a map correctly. It is the only way to get where you are going and back to the entry/exit points in the Boundary Waters. Google Maps won’t save you in the wilderness. Even though we always do our best to make our adventures fun, there are still very real dangers we must be aware of.

Navigating is a skill all BWCA Adventurers absolutely need to learn. I am often harder on me than anyone else would be. And I had just proven to myself that thoughts become things. I found out that was not a great idea to be asking for harder games! After that, I didn’t feel so confident taunting the Universe. It was yet another reminder the Universe is truly listening.

I learned the outcomes are better when I change my thoughts and vibe my best intentions. It has made me be more purposeful when communicating my intentions to the Universe. I can choose to change my energy by doing yoga, meditating, walking the dog, call a friend, nap… I must do absolutely everything I can to get low vibin’ energy shifted before the Universe responds in kind.

The Universe was reiterating for me to ask for what I want. Not what I don’t want. Although, the silver lining was this ‘harder game’ has made me a very conscious and cautious route planner since! Same goes for my navigating my thoughts. What you think is how you feel! How you “feel” is the vibrational energy you are tuning into the Universe with. True story.

These are great memories and hilarious experiences, thankfully. We were lucky and safe. I don’t take that protection for granted. I am grateful it was Stacy with me during these adventures and tests offered in the BWCA. We balance each other almost as steadily as the scales of justice most of the time. Working together to get through these challenges; choosing not to dwell on these mishaps, is a key ingredient in sustaining the joy of all our BWCA adventures.

Year after year, we learned we were able to trust and depend on each other. Each of us putting in our best efforts to fully support a safe and joyful journey together. We learned that we appreciated the unique skills we both brought. I can’t help but think this philosophy must ring true in my daily life.

I do my best to appreciate differences. Keep my chin up. Laugh at my blunders. If I stumble down the wrong path doesn’t mean it won’t be a good story to tell later. By choosing to be with great company and finding people who know how to be a team, and willing to carry part of the load, it was easy to enjoy the journey.

I can recognize that those bloopers we endured together helped us develop the wisdom and trust we deeply appreciate in each other now. These are the types of relationships that feed my soul and support leveling up of my spirit. I love and value my best friend and Adventure Sister Stacy very much. Which leads me to tell the Universe what I want… Yes. Thank you! More please!

Sending blessing and much love,

Emy Minzel

Heart Centered, Nature Lover, Writer, Advocate, Adventurer, Yogi, and so much more…

EmyMinzel.com

#spiritual, adventure, Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Uncategorized

Release the Worms!

emyminzel


Lessons Through Joy ~ Chapter 2

by Emy Minzel

Ready or not here we come!!! Neither of us had never been to the Boundary Waters before. We had no idea what we were getting into. Folks from all over the world come to experience the
grand vastness and purity of our dwindling truly wild wilderness. No cell
signals, no electricity, you carry everything you need on your back and the
canoe too. It offers time and silence I need to get back to the simplicity our
lives are supposed to contain. Over the years it has been a vital necessity for
me to take this time to connect with myself and the earth I appreciate so
greatly.

Before leaving we had scoured the Outfitters website for a list of items to bring and added our own necessities like blow up tubes for floating. At the time we were both excited
to do some fishing in the BWCA. The fish “Up North” are legendarily big and
plentiful. This would be a first for both of us to have to “clean” or filet
own catch. We are both no fuss kind of women who do what needs to be done, even
the hard stuff. I love that about us. We make a great team. We both love
nature, water, and canoeing. We knew we were going to love this!

Our first fishing trip was a success. We reeled them in and released a few. We
didn’t want to take more than we needed for dinner. Both looking to each other
for guidance when we pulled the basket out of the water. After a few failed
attempts to put the fish out of its misery, our hearts deflated a bit. We
decided to let them suffocate on the boulder before cleaning them. Both of us
felt remorseful about what we put the fish through. Yet we were depending on
fish for our food and hunger was prompting us to get through it.

 I will not lie. The fish was delicious. However, this experience of taking a life had gotten to us both. The spirit inside of me felt sad for the fish and maybe even disappointed in myself. Neither of us said anything to each other while we continued to catch and eat fish that year.
Next year we vowed to find a better way to ‘release its spirit’ before we ate it.
At the time it felt empowering to be able to feed myself from the wild in this
way. The men in my life always took care of “gross” things like that.

Yet, when I took the time to contemplate it deeper. I realized there should be nothing ‘gross’ about it at all. It was a transformational experience realizing what it felt like to take an animal’s life and respect its sacrifice. I know it would serve humanity to acknowledge and appreciate the folks who do the work of getting us food from the farm and water to our tables.

I began to honor the hardworking folks and sentient animals who give me the energy needed to live. It was clear to me that I was too far removed from the food I ate. I was part of an ignorant bliss trend in humanity, blind to where my food comes from, how it’s treated, and how it’s processed… I saw I was a piece of capitalism contributing to tragic and detrimental factor in the environment and unethical treatment of animals. I was beginning to see that looking the other way is part of the human behavior damaging the planet and all who reside on it. I had never taken the time to contemplate or acknowledge it until this BWCA experience.

Continuing to the 2nd trip the next year into the BWCA. We brought our fishing
poles, worms and leaches. Try as we may, there were no fish! What the heck?! No bites at all. No matter where we decide to try our luck, not even a nibble. It wasn’t a big deal; we had packed enough food to keep us satisfied without the fish this trip. We were fishing just to pass
time.

One morning we both were on separate ends of our very large camping site with
hundreds of feet between our fishing spots. The spot was a peninsula of boreal
forest beauty. We were doing our best to enjoy the blue sky and warm day when
Stacy walked over to me and asked. “Are you having any luck?”

As I reeled my line in. Seeing the lifeless worm hanging from my hook. I looked at her and said “Nope. Nothing.”

I turned to Stacy and confessed. “I am having a really hard time with what I am
doing to this worm… I am torturing it. Stabbing it with a hook then repeatedly drowning
it until if finally gives up and dies.”

My sensitive heart was empathizing with the experience of this living being. A
creature of nature. Even though it is a creepy creature, I know it has purpose.

She looked at me compassionately and agreed. Then she asked. “Do you want to free the worms?”

I thought about it for a second and answered. “Yes! Yes. I do! I don’t think I
can fish with live bait anymore.” I also felt relieved to be met with empathy
and understanding from my friend. Joy and relief replaced guilt. 

She told me while over on her side of the campsite, she was feeling the same thing.
This happens often with us. Seemingly energetically in sync even when far apart.
It’s the magical workings of the same soul connection that brought us together.

We pulled the white Styrofoam container with the remaining worms out of the cooler
then headed into the woods. We found a nice spot that looked like it had
healthy soil, dug a hole for them and released the worms. It felt so right! It
was my soul acknowledging even the weirdest of creatures has feelings, and
awareness.

I believe all animals are sentient. They absolutely know when it’s
in pain and when death is their destiny. Honoring that knowledge has helped me
become a gentler person. We thanked the worms for the life lesson and said a
prayer for them to live long, happy worm lives.

On this BWCA excursion we decided to only use lures, or faux bait. I still liked the idea of fishing, being on the water in the sun. It gave me pleasant childhood memories of my Uncle Bob who is no longer with me. So, we were loaded up with a bunch of cool little lures and our fish basket. Carrying knowledge learned from last year we had collapsible poles which were far easier to pack and carry. Who knew that was even a thing? Many folks of course! We were catching on one trip at a time. You know what happened after all that planning? We didn’t put a line in the water even once. 

I realized that I was honoring my feelings and didn’t feel right to take a
life. I packed most of the food for our 5-day forest adventure. By this year, Stacy had chosen a pescetarian diet which is mostly vegetarian with sprinkling of fish and eggs. I support her decisions, and she supports mine. We had an abundance of fresh organic veggies, rice, quinoa, beans, and nuts for protein. We both love to cook, and I made sure we had all the ingredients we needed. I realized. Why take something if it’s not needed? We already had plenty.

At the time I was a midwestern woman, raised on meat and potatoes. A Minnesota Tator
tot hotdish making Queen. I appreciate that Stacy is nonjudgemental of other people’s food
choices. However, by just being her, she has raised awareness in me. It made me ask myself. “Do I want to keep eating meat?”

I was completely satisfied with the vegetarian diet we ate while camping with Stacy.
Never feeling deprived or hungry. I told Stacy. “I think I will stop eating so much meat.”

Stacy just smiled and said “You get to make the rules for your life! Do what you feel
is best for you.”

I suppose she has already been through these feelings and this journey. This transition
usually doesn’t happen overnight. I recognize that people stop eating meat for
their own personal beliefs and they are not the same as another’s decision. In the end what others eat is none of my business. I must do what feels right for me, my body, and my spirit.

This experience led to research on where and how mass meat production happens. There are so many great informative documentaries about our food. This knowledge has altered my
appetite and made me a more conscious consumer. I must honor that for the sake
of my animal loving heart. I have tried to be vegetarian, but my body did not agree with my choices. Now I add more veggies and grains and skip the meat several times a week.

I do my best to ensure it is animal products are free range and humanely treated. I choose to support small family farmers, shop the Farmers Market and co-ops when possible. By doing this, I also get to vote with my dollars. I realized change is all about choices. I get to make choices all day every day. I allowed myself to change my minds and habits as I learned more and allowed myself room for growth. I do not judge others and I am not trying to convert anyone either. This is just one of the seeds planted in the BWCA long ago that have sprouted since. 

My opinions and perceptions of life, living sentient beings, spiritual signs, emotional
maturity, and personal growth. We have both changed dramatically since those early years
when we first naively embarked into the BWCA. We had no idea how profoundly these
adventures would contribute to the soulful alignment of our daily lives in
years to come. The story that follows is one of my favorite examples. 

The very last time I went fishing was when I was running for the State House of Representative. I was on a mission to learn about tensions relating to my local and famous
Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota. I was invited by the Band of Ojibwe on a boat and
fishing tour. Where we discussed environmental, and racial political issues dividing our community.

During this trip, I was accompanied by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Natural Resources
Director and the independent Scientist they hired to do research. The Band was
helping and collaborating with the State of Minnesota DNR in hopes of finding
solutions. There were four of us on the boat including my campaign manager Jake,
who is an ecologist.

I brought my own fake lures to use while fishing. Out of curiosity they questioned why.
Using my story about the BWCA trip and the worms to explain my decisions. That I
no longer ‘release the spirits’ of worms, spiders, or bugs as I see them as a
necessary component of nature.  Not one of them gave me guff about this decision. Even after I didn’t catch a darn thing on the lake known for its abundance.

It was if Spirit knew, I didn’t need to. Just being on the water, learning from experts
on how I could support my community and environment if elected was enough. The whole day was an amazing experience I will never forget. All the while realizing that without a doubt; I would have never been on that boat, with those experts, or a congressional candidate. If I had I not stepped foot into the BWCA five years before. This was a life lesson learned through joy!

Fishing on Lake Mille Lacs 2018

The lessons the fish and worms have taught me were to honor my feelings. If it feels bad, don’t do it. The worms were a sudden and final decision to not use live bait.  I still have a great time being on the water with my friends or by myself, and there is no longer a need to fish. I learned to trust my inner guidance and be brave enough to do what feels right for me. Even if it means allowing my voice to shake and tears to flow while doing so. This happened often while campaigning. 

If it had not been for the empowering adventures in the Boundary Waters. I would not have had all of these world expanding experiences. I’ve learned that I am capable
and brave enough to roll with the waves of transformation on my life path. I have the free will to change my mind and my actions. I know deep down; we all do the best we can in the time and space we are given. It’s okay to be human. That’s how we learn and hopefully grow.  

As the wise Maya Angelou said. “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when
you know better. Do better.”

With much love,

Emy Minzel

Heart Centered, Nature Lover, Writer, Advocate,
Adventurer, Yogi, and so much more…

EmyMinzel.com

BWCAdventureSisters/Facebook.com

***Public Service Announcement***

We have since learned that worms are an invasive species and should never be released other than where they are found. I feel terrible that I did not know this at the time! I feel it is important to share the wisdom of our blunder. As we certainly would have made a different choice in where we released these worms. Like they say.

“You don’t know, what you don’t know. Until you know.”

Much like learning about washing your boat or canoe off before launching into a different body of water to prevent the spread of invasive weeds or mussels.

Now we know.

#BoundaryWatersCanoeArea, #lifelessons, #naturelover, adventure, Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Innerwork

Boundary Waters Solo Adventure Day 3

emyminzel

Last night was rough, I woke up wanting to go home, like right now. During the late-night, I had a tummy ache and needed to climb the hill with a flashlight, not once but three times! Ugh! I was doing my best to be brave while making a lot of noise at 1 am in a dark forest alone.

Listen I like to rough it, I don’t mind getting dirty, fighting dangerous waves, caring heavy loads or even sitting out a thunderstorm in a tent. Turns out that this girl draws the line at tummy tribulations in the Boundary Waters! I know I am not alone here.

I was feeling better when I got up at 6 am with the dawn, even though the skies were clear the sun did not peek over the treetops until around 8:00. As I sat drinking coffee, soaking in the scenery and contemplating if I was going to stay the one more day as intended or pack it all up. It was hard to decide.

Slim Lake sunrise
Emy in contemplation
Ride back home
Slim Lake Entry/Exit Point

The weather was warming up, and the sunshine was trying to talk me into staying. I wanted to stay, and I wanted to go home too. The weather was not going to be warm enough to swim for very long. Which was a bummer because that’s one of the reasons I go up the Boundary Waters to get some very needed hydrotherapy.

About an hour later, while I was cooking breakfast two canoes full of a family with mom and dad and three children family paddled by. They inquired if I was leaving today and I told them I was thinking about it. The other campers at the campsite they passed to get to me told them they were going later as well.

I felt terrible that they didn’t have a campsite free, and I think they were also bummed to have to paddle all the way to the other end of the lake to see if possibly the last of the three campsites on the lake would be open. If not, they would have to wait it out while we packed up.

As they paddled by me again, I felt the urge to tell them I would be packed up by noon. Giving the family at least some hope of getting settled soon if they could not find another open site. Had they not paddled by would I have stayed? I don’t know. Maybe I used their search as an excuse as I convinced myself I was being kind by making sure that family had a place to sleep tonight. Or perhaps I really had been there for long enough?

I certainly proved to myself what I knew I was capable of all along. What else did I need to prove? Going into the Boundary Waters alone was something I did for me. I needed to push myself in a way that was not connected to others needs. I needed to level up my courage and confidence for my personal development to prove to me that I can do the same in other aspects of my life.

The Boundary Waters is a holy place, you may think you come for the beauty of it and to get away from it all. What you don’t anticipate is how it changes you so profoundly in just the short time you are there. Having the time to be alone with only your thoughts and allowing the tranquility to seep into your soul that enables you to listen to your own inner knowing is powerful stuff.

The solo excursion I embarked on this year is no different. I knew inside that it was okay to leave because I had gotten what I came for. I had reconnected with myself and allowed the spirit of nature to reconnect with me. That morning I realized I could stay, but I wanted to go home.

As an only child of a single mother, I have always been fond of my alone time. I get cranky without it. Yet while out in the wilderness, I did not feel afraid or lonely, I did think that something was missing. I missed my husband and my dog, and this just confirmed that even though I don’t mind being alone, my life is much more enjoyable sharing it with those that I love. I learned that I must work at bettering myself without help, but it sure is nice to have support on the sidelines of life.

As the family paddled away to leave me to pack up in peace, I did just that. I did not rush myself. I did my best to enjoy the end of my journey. Even taking the time to put my swimsuit on and get into the lake one last time. The water was warmer than the air temp, so it was steaming as it was chilly only 59 degrees.

I did not allow the weather to detour me from getting the swim in I needed. I am Minnesota tough dontchyaknow and did not flinch as I made my way down into the water via the boulder shore. Where I could fully submerge allowing the healing stillness of the big water to wash away all that I did not need to bring back home with me. That last swim felt great and gave me the emotional boost I needed to get going.

After all, my gear was packed and loaded into the canoe. I sent a prayer of gratitude up once again. “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!” This experience had all the emotions and tests that I needed and came for. The Boundary Waters Wilderness never lets me down and always centers me to a much calmer space deep within. I am beyond grateful and blessed for this experience once again.

The wind was picking up, but this time the waves on Slim Lake carried me back to the bay. I took my time enjoying one last paddle soaking in all the scenery and the musical harmony of nature I could possibly absorb. As I pulled into the entry point, I was a little melancholy not wanting this healing time to end, yet also happy to be on my way to home sweet home.

Thank you, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Thank you for all the lesson’s past, present and future you continue to bless me with. Until next time my friend, you still hold a part of me.

Sending joy and blessings to you,

Love, Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

Visit me at :

EmyMinzel.com

EmyMinzel.AdventureSister@gmail.com

@EmyMinzel

#BoundaryWatersCanoeArea, #lifelessons, #naturelover, adventure, Boundary Waters Canoe Area

My first solo Boundary Waters Canoe Area adventure!

emyminzel

I got the news today that the friend who was planning to accompany me to the Boundary Waters was not going to be able to make it. It doesn’t matter the reason. I trust that she did not want to have to cancel plans, so I could not be upset. As we know, life can change our plans for us even when we don’t want it too.

I had a feeling this was going to happen for some reason, yet I brushed it off. So, when my friend called to say she could not go, I was not surprised or troubled by the news. I had decided that no matter what, I was still going to go the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. My soul told me I must, and I just knew I better listen.

I even had an interesting dream a few nights before. I dreamt there was a person who came to me and asked. “What do you most need to get rid of in your life?” Without hesitating, I said. “My fear.” Just like that the person in my dream opened a door behind me and off my fear went! Isn’t that the craziest thing?! I believe your dreams are your subconscious communicating with you, so this dream was right on.

The even cooler thing about this dream is that when I woke up, I was no longer scared to go the BWCA alone. Well just a little, but nothing like I usually would be! If there is something, I am supposed to worry about, well, you know darn well that I’m going to give that worry all I got! Do you do this too? Which is another reason why I was so relieved not to feel enough fear to stay home from the BWCA.

Honestly, I love it there so much that not going would have hurt me more than anything. I knew I needed to go. It is so quiet and peaceful in the BWCA that I tell everyone it’s where God lives and where I go to talk to Spirit. Clearly, we needed to chat because my fear seemed to be lifted as if by magic so I could go.

I love it so much! But it’s not for everyone, and I have found it challenging to find friends who would like to accompany me. P.s. I am now accepting applications for water-loving, outdoor enthusiast, who are brave, fun and who want to BWCA Adventure with me! Ha!

A few times over the years, I have had to cancel the ‘annual’ trip to the Boundary Waters because a friend canceled on short notice, too late to fill their spot with someone else who enjoys roughing it. I just don’t have an abundance of friends who love portaging and pit toilet vacations for some reason!

If I were offering a free trip to the Bahama’s, I am sure there would be no problem filling the vacancy. But a trip to the BWCA is not for the meek. This last-minute cancelation that has happened yet again has me sitting with my thoughts.

I believe that a situation that keeps repeating is a sign that there is a message from the Universe/God/Creator. It means life is trying to teach me something so listen up. There is a spiritual lesson in this, I know it! Bear with me as I talk myself through this learning experience.

So, Universe, what am I supposed to learn from this?

I could get mad, but I won’t, because that’s wasted time and energy. Do I stop trusting people and decide to learn that there is nobody I can depend on? No, I don’t think that would be wise either. I do believe most people are good and do the best they can in the time and space they are given. Do I stop going to the BWCA? That’s a firm no way.

I do not need someone to hold my hand; I only think I do. I believe this is part of my lesson. These dreams and goals are mine alone. I think the message is it’s up to me and only me to make them happen. I am thinking, what I need to learn from this pattern is to be brave enough to go it alone.

I must conjure the courage to adventure into the remote wilderness by myself, and to be okay with doing anything that I desire to manifest, alone. I mean when it comes down to it, we are all alone on our path to travel. What I need is to believe in myself more than anyone else does. To face my fears and to do it anyway.

Sure, it is indeed safer in numbers, especially when in the wild but maybe, I am playing too safe in my regular life which can also be pretty darn wild too?! It seems that I am supposed to learn to listen to my inner knowing instead of the opinion of others.

I see now that in some ways, I have been allowing others to ‘drive the bus’ in some areas of life. Do you know how many people told me I am crazy for going to the BWCA alone? All of them. Had I allowed their thoughts to affect mine, I would not have gone.

Just maybe this is happening to get me away from the sway of people’s suggestion and opinions and back into the flow of my intuition, back onto my path. If I chose not to live the life I desire, go to the places that call my soul, or heed my knowing, am I doing enough to keep myself fulfilled truly?

I believe that being brave enough to go it alone once in a while will allow me to hear my intuitive guidance and will enable me to be authentically me.Whatever the message of repeating patterns ends up meaning, I know I will persevere as I always do.

It is only an illusion when we think we walk alone! I also believe life is meant to be shared, but our needs are ours to fulfill. I trust and believe that I will be protected on any mission I embark on. Solo or not, I will continue to emerge as an improved and wiser version of myself. Trusting that I was only being nudged by Spirit to level up once again.

Into the forest, I go, to clear my mind and listen to the call of my soul.

Please join me on our Facebook page @BWCAdventureSisters, where I will share pictures and videos of my first solo experience in the Boundary Waters with you!

Thanks for sharing this adventure of life with me! I hope your adventure too!

Wishing you lots of love and blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

Visit me at EmyMinzel.com

EmyMinzel.AdventureSister@gmail.com

@EmyMinzel