I’m realizing that, at the age of 44, I’ve never actually learned how to be sad, or how to admit that I’m sad.

On my third hike with my friend John, we had an incredible but taxing trek that involved six hours of stream crossings and mud puddles in 90-degree heat. We were a muddy, sweaty mess by the end, and we were EXHAUSTED and HUNGRY.

The most important lesson I learned this past year is that sometimes the wisdom I’m seeking is already within me.