The Oregon Trail

Today's journey backtracked some of the Oregon Trail, east out of LaGrande, OR on I-84 which paralleled the the trail taken west by trappers and settlers primarily in the mid 1840's to the late 1860's.  The territory has become littered with modern highways and interstates now, but there were long stretches where the "Rest Area" sign advised No Services for 79 miles."  I'm sure services every 79 miles would have felt luxurious to those trailblazers a century and a half ago.  Today we seem to take all of the "services" available for granted.  If we are missing something we are used to we feel "entitled" to demand it.  Is this what resilience has come to - making do without a latte within a few minutes?

I think we should really slow down and take stock of what we have; take an inventory of what is really important.  I've had some time to reflect while on the road and I am happy to share some of the things that are really important to me:

 - My two children, each uniques, and each of whom bring joy, lessons on living, and great pride in their accomplishments (as if I did anything to accomplish those things ;). )

-  My colleagues, whom I respect and learn from all the time; and especially those who are about to go on a career journey with me to explore whether practicing therapy with integrity, with respect for clients AND for practitioners can happen successfully.

-  My 95 year old father, who may forget you've answered the same question for him 5 times today already, but who doesn't forget the experiences that shaped his life, like the Korean War and World War II, and raising a family.

-  My brother and sister, who each have found happiness in their own way in their lives;  and each of whom have navigated difficult experiences and came out on the other side better for it.

-  The smiles and innocence of children, taking the world one experience at a time, in the moment, with genuineness.

-  A western sunset:

Taken in Pocatello, Idaho

- The gift of mindfulness in my own life, and with it the fruits of more clarity; improved understanding of myself and all I connect with, the ability to begin to let go of things that have passed, and improved awareness of those whom I provide counsel.

Travel Log - Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Departed from La Grand, Oregon at 11:45 AM  Pacific Time

Arrived in Pocatella, Idaho at 7:15 PM  Mountain Time

405 miles

States traveled in during return trip:

Washington

Oregon

Idaho