Earlier this year Jamie and I went snowshoeing on Cypress Mountain in Vancouver. It was a gray day and snow was falling pretty heavily as we went along. It was absolutely beautiful and peacefully quiet. Neither of us were familiar with the trails so we just explored. After an hour or so we found a warming hut and stopped to see what was inside. As we walked up to the door, I saw that a sign was posted.
Jamie shoved the door before turning away because it wouldn’t open, and I said…”Read the sign, it says its not locked – just hard to open.”
I stopped and read it again and this feeling of serendipity washed over me.
It seemed like this sign should have been worn around my neck, not taped to the door of this warming hut.

“I’m not locked. Just sometimes hard to open.”
Yep. That pretty much sums it up.

All but those who know me well might be surprised by this, but I’m not someone who easily throws open the door and welcomes the world inside…not really. I tend to be more cautious, and always take a read on the situation before inserting myself.

Normally I’m not a really introspective type, but I couldn’t get over this sign. And then someone wise said something to me (and because he is wise I thought I should listen).

Jeff said: Erica, you know its the really valuable stuff that is worth a little bit of digging.

Basically, don’t begrudge any part of yourself…celebrate it!
I’m thankful for the perspective of people like Jeff in my life, everyone needs reminders like this sometimes.