This past couple years, I’ve taken the opportunity to take my children to National and State Parks along our route to see their Father 
who lives in Arizona. This journey is more than 900 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah to Arizona and hosts some of the most wondrous places on earth. I never tire of the spectacular cliffs and changing seasons of this area.
On these outings we like to break up the trip by going on hikes or stay over night at one of these amazing destinations. We’ve visited the Grand Canyon, Moab, Glen Canyon/Lake Powell area, Montezuma’s Castle, Petrified Forrest, Route 66, Sedona, Marble Canyon and many ancient Native American ruins.
After many years of driving back and forth throughout the year, we’ve witnessed how the seasons alter and change the landscape. The magical display of colors changing to reveal natures next look. It gracefully moves through each season while creating a unique feel and energy for that space in time.
These long drives have taught me so much! I’ve observed how each season is uniquely beautiful just like each season of life has it’s various forms of beauty and sorrows.
I’ll be turning 40 this coming winter and so have begun a new season of my life. As I think what it means to say goodbye to my youth and trade it for experience and wisdom, I reflect on the landscapes I’ve grown to love in any season. My season change has been new and exciting! It’s been a time I’ve been joyfully anticipating for many years! I’m excited to see how what it will look life, who I will become, and what I can accomplish. This season seems to hold time and space for growth, reflection, greater joy, and connecting in more powerful ways with God, myself, family, and friends.
Say goodbye to youthful awkwardness, uncertainty and anxiety. Gone are the days of early parenthood where everything is new and urgent. The days of multiple babies hanging from each leg and arm as I attempt to clean up the latest spill. The sleepless nights blurred together with the extra long days of housekeeping, errands, dirty diapers, and activities and yet another snack or meal.
Another lesson I’ve discovered is something I didn’t expect.
I’ve driven round trip from Utah to Arizona approximately 30 times in the past 5 years which is about 27,000 miles and countless hours on the same route. To break it up, I’ve explored the highways and road less traveled. And you know, I still haven’t discovered enough, felt enough, or experienced enough of it’s beauty! I still long to go back to explore the hidden and secret places along the way!
During this new season of life, I have to opportunity to reflect, learn about myself and enjoy all the fullness that life has to offer! My experience never needs to be dull or boring as long as I continue to share the learning, creating, and growing experiences with someone I love.
Best of all, I’ve discovered real health and nutrition isn’t about how many miles I jog, hours in the gym, or calories I’ve deprived myself of. True health and nutrition is about infusing ourselves, the essence of who we are, with the power of the Divine to create a joyful, full and blessed life!
