Expanding Horizons

Expanding Horizons
            Gazing in the distance where the sky meets land or sea, the weight on our shoulders feels lighter. Problems don’t feel as big.
          There’s a sense of possibility. Whoever we are, whatever is happening in our lives, we can see beyond our small selves.
           Those coping with daunting developmental or physical challenges may find going to new places overwhelming.
           Getting far enough from home to find a horizon to gaze at can feel impossible for caregivers, too.
          Our autistic son used to find the slightest change from the familiar intolerable, to the point that we felt virtually housebound for years.
     With extraordinary support new and old (In Memory and Thanks), gritty determination, and unconditional love, we even managed to get our son to do overnight cabin stays, immersed in a forest, facing the ocean, somewhere away from home.
         He—and we—evolve into new selves even by the end of a brief hike. Being outdoors, stopping to take a deep breath, and seeing the bigger world around us not only calms us but opens our hearts.
        Take a moment each day to look up at the sky, the trees, or shimmering water, even if it’s just dewdrops on a spider web.
         Small moments offer broader horizons, too. Keep putting one foot forward!
     This week’s Hike Notes are from the HikingAutism archives, Point Bonita Lighthouse in the Marin Headlands, a great place to catch a daylight or sunset horizon view.
            Do you have a favorite walk? Share with readers in World Walks! Two or three sentences and photos allow other readers to share your special hike. See the World Walks link for how to submit your walk to share. It’s easy!
 
This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives:
(Original Hike Notes 13): Point Bonita Lighthouse
 
            Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area (was Quick View Hike List) page. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Please feel free to share, and follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism