Baby Steps

The first hour in a novel environment captivates the senses. The first day of a journey is bound to be a whirlwind. The first week is a string of new experiences. This is especially true when arriving in Panama to become apart of the Kalu Yala team. As an agriculture intern, I had the exciting and somewhat intimidating prospect of hiking into the valley on my second day in Central America. On a couple of the hills, the air seemed to become thinner and extra motivation was needed to keep climbing. I started to think in terms of baby steps. Just placing one foot in front of the other (no matter how many inches you cover) is all that is needed. Eventually, they add up and you’ll be over the hard part enjoying the river in no time. Nothing describes my new adventure approach better than the idea of using baby steps. Absorbing the unfamiliarity slowly and steadily allows an appreciation of the surroundings without becoming overwhelmed. And the picturesque vistas are definitely worth the climb.