On Gibran and the beauty of making progress

Hello, Hive!

We've finally turned a new leaf with the onset of the year 2024. As we begin a new life, I hope the universe guide us all to the path that leads to the fulfillment of our dreams. What's on your list?

As for me, I actually do not have a new one. I am still ticking off checkboxes from years of unmet goals and plans. But that's okay. I always try to remind myself to do things at my own pace.

And so should you.☺️

You see, at first, I had a hard time debating which one of the four drafts on my WIP I should publish. A travel post in the mountains of Biliran. A major climb in Bukidnon. A retrospection for 2023. A piece of poetry. In the end, I chose none and started writing my heart out here.

The words of Kahlil Gibran keep echoing in my head at times like this. In The Prophet, which he so eloquently penned, there is a chapter where Almustafa talked about good and evil. Through a series of anaphora, he explained that we are all inherently good, and not fitting the description of what is “good” does not necessarily means one is evil. That goodness is a unique journey for each person.

A section of this chapter hits closer to home for me:

You are good when you walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps.
Yet you are not evil when you go thither limping.
Even those who limp go not backward.

The wisdom in these words gives me comfort and courage to move forward in everything I do. It is a beautiful reminder that it's okay to make mistakes, to take a pause, to face setbacks — even to be far behind from reaching our goals. The important thing is that we are making progress with our every step. These words rings true in writing, hiking, and life in general.

There have been times when words didn't come out of my pen that easy. Truth is, I started 2023 with eagerness, promising myself to write poetry on a regular basis. Out of the 365 days, I've only written six. Sad, I know. But on the brighter side, I found my way here on Hive. I started documenting my adventures and meeting (virtually) other people who share the same love of nature.

There were also times when unexpected forces (extreme heat or heavy downpour) slow me down on my hikes. Such is the demise of my first attempt to climb Mt. Madjaas last January. But that did not stop my friends and I from hiking. In fact, we successfully reached the summit on our second try.

There were also many restless days and bittersweet nights when I had to ask myself, Is this where I'm supposed to be? Is this what I'm meant to be doing? Sometimes, I feel like opportunities pass me by — especially whenever I compare my life with others. I haven't taken a master's degree or worked "on the field" like my classmates. I don't have a car and a fancy house like my relatives. I have a routinary 8-5 desk job instead. BUT, looking back, life took me to places I never thought of going too. I've done things that version of me 10 years ago would never have imagined doing.

Overall, I'm happy with the progress that I've made last 2023 — intended or unplanned. This 2024, I am looking forward to continued growth (yes, height included! LOL). This post may be five days late but happiest new year, everyone. ✨🤍

_{Maria is a hopeless romantic who travels in pages and places. She is an INFP who loves sunrises and moonlight nights and reading books in between. On weekdays, she works for a self-publishing company as a copywriter. On weekends, she lives her life as a poet or hiker. She hopes to share her love for words and the world with you here on HIVE.}

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