Last spring I delved into the wide world of hiking. I wrote a post that highlighted some of the random thoughts I had about how hiking can relate to life, and would like to emphasize life lesson number five in this post, including the side note/story.
If you chose not to read the post here’s the CliffsNotes version: I ventured to a mountain, and upon my arrival at the top I proudly stood tall while eating a sandwich. I was nearly knocked on my ass by a ballsy bird that tried to steal my food. STEAL.
I ventured back to this very same mountain last week, and this time I decided I wanted to share my apple with the birds, but only on MY time – not on theirs. I was determined to have one land on my hand, so I ate my apple and I tried to share.
I tried, and tried, and tried.
Failing with the birds, and failing to see.
Then I tried again.
After standing with my arm extended for a solid 5 minutes, victory was mine.
And then victory was his as he stole my apple and flew away.
Rude.
This hike was mentally brutal. The amount of snow that fell overnight was a shock. My day hike shoes are not equipped for snow, slush, and deep puddles of mud. Needless to say my feet were soaked, and my hands were numb.
My face was also numb, and as I took this photo I had no idea my nose was leaking.
I never regret summiting a mountain, but sometimes I wish I had the ability to teleport once I’m done enjoying the view from the top. I’m convinced if it weren’t for some hiking poles I would have been crawling to the top. I had zero foot traction.
My first time using hiking poles, and I now feel like a real hiker. Perhaps I will invest in some poles of my own, and I think it’s time I buy some waterproof boots if I want to ensure future sensation in my toes.
To piggy back off of my last post, this hike was an example of something I (briefly) wanted to quit simply because it was “hard.” I was uncomfortable, cold, and I had thoughts of hot springs and cinnamon rolls dancing in my head. My safety wasn’t threatened, so quitting was not an option. I persevered through the thoughts, just as I did with getting the bird to land on my apple.
The lessons of life come in many shapes and sizes, and often present themselves when you least expect them to. I find keeping my mind open, my demeanor calm, and my perseverance strong sets me up to succeed with anything I set my mind to.
Q: What do you find yourself persevering through most in your daily life? Sometimes I have to work really hard in order to persevere through the time between my meals.
Blissfulbritt 
75 thoughts on “Perseverance”
chapeltheresa
I persevere through the political waters at work and half marathon training 🙂
BabetaRuns
I LOOOOOVE the picture with the bird. Well done you!! I wouldn’t have the patience for this 🙂
Right now I’m perservering most at work… I am implementing some very unpopular changes and loads of people are upset and unhappy about them and me… so a BIG level of perseverance is required!
And when it comes to food – I’m totally there with you on persevering through meal times. And NOT having chocolate and cake!! Yumm!
P.S. Yesterday I had cake for dinner… so clearly, I need to get better at food perseverance :)))
Amy @ A Desert Girl
You are so brave to let a bird land on your hand. I would have tossed him the apple core from a distance. And oh my goodness it looks sooooo cold!
Brittany
I admit I tested the waters by wearing a very thick glove before the bare hand came out…HAHA.
shonalikahonalika
Love this post, those are AMAZING shots of you and the bird! Not only do you have to stand there holding your arm out for ages like a lemon but you then have to take photos, one-handed, without scaring the bird away (well, until you got the shot that is) in the freezing cold. After a presumably exhausting hike. I applaud your bravery.
My daily examples of perseverance are nowhere near as interesting, I fear. Most recent is forcing myself to stay inside and study very very very boring material (I have dodgy wrists so have to use a laptop) when it’s BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE outside. And I’m not very good at it either. XP
charissarunning
Those are beautiful views. As tough as the snow made it, it makes the views look magical 🙂 Your bird pictures are also the best! How did you capture it at the right moments? Amazing!
P.S. I’m totally with you on it being hard to persevere between meal times. Once I finish eating one thing, I think about what I’ll be eating next! It’s a problem haha
Brittany
I had my phone camera ready to capture AS SOON as he landed on me. 🙂
pausesandclicks
My latest perseverance is the process of moving. As a military spouse, this is our 25th move in 35 years and you’d think I’d be a pro at it but it’s always about a four month process that involves a boatload of decisions every day as I decide what to donate, keep, sell, throw away, etc. It’s a marathon that requires stamina and then it all needs to be unpacked at the other end!
Great post….I guess it’s time to look for the lessons!
BabetaRuns
OMG! 25 moves in 35 years – this is crazy! Well done you! I hope you at least get removal companies to pack all your things and you don’t need to do all the work yourself every time!
pausesandclicks
Yes, thankfully, they do pack it up and take it to our next home for us! We did it ourselves once, and that was enough!
Brittany
MY GOODNESS that’s a lot of moves. I would definitely use them as opportunities to minimize my belongings.
pausesandclicks
Brittany, I try but because the house changes so often it’s the stuff inside that defines home. As a result I’m a bit sentimental about “the stuff” and I find it hard to get rid of it!
sissyjupe2
Algebra!! Just started a course that is kicking my butt and CONSUMING vast amounts of my time. But I know I will be so proud and relieved when it is done and I pass!! 6 1/2 more weeks!! I can do this.
Great pics. So cool
aimingforscorpion
What amazing views! I don’t know if I would have been brave enough to preserver through the cold!
Matt
Great post! I love the theme and the photos. Right now I’m persevering through a sinus infection and lingering effects that have caused me to cut my running mileage way down the last couple of weeks. Finally feeling close to 100% and ready to start getting my mileage back up! Before that, it was just persevering through another winter that seemed to drag on too long, haha.
familyrulesbyplainjane
Persevering in an opposite way to yours….since I have begun working full time as a therapist, all the sitting has been a real trial. I do not like the way my body feels even though I exercise 4 days a week. Love the work, hate this particular cost!
Brittany
Oh man, I can’t imagine sitting all day. I would be stir crazy. I can completely understand your dilemma.
Sophie33
An excellent post! Perseverance is good Sometimes,..what great views & well-done you! ☺️
Jim Brennan
This is a great post, Brittany. I love your genuineness and honesty. Believe me, there are days I have to persevere just to write a sentence I’m happy with, but I look at those days as building blocks to days I’ll write a thousand words or more. When you persevere good things happen, maybe not right away, but eventually they well. It’s almost hiking season here in the Northeast and I’ll be hitting the Appelachean Trail soon. Thanks for the motivation!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
You fed the bird!! That is amazing and all kinds of awesome and takes a stupendous amount of patience which I simple do not possess. Kudos to you, bird whisperer.
Last thing I trumped was this virus which knocked me on my ass for almost a full week and a half. Despite wanting to workout and do all the things, I hunkered down on the couch and did nothing and it paid off since it was suppose to ravage my system for two weeks. Take that nasty virus.
Jess @hellotofit
Britt, you are an inspiration and I really enjoyed reading this post. Leaky nose, for the win!! That’s when you know you’re a ballin’, winter-weather-hiker.
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
That’s bird feeding at it’s finest! How cool! Persevering between meals is DEF something I can relate to, especially when I’m bored at work, haha. Right know, I’m persevering through a tough waiting period without my stress release of running. Man, who knew being lazy could be so hard!
Food, Booze, & Baggage
Well look at you being all Snow White! That is awesome you got the bird to land on your hand! Beautiful pictures!
Brittany
Bahahaaaaa I didn’t even think about the Snow White correlation. How funny.
Missy
^^^ Coming here with the Snow White comment bur I see Im not alone.
I knew you were a magical spirit. I just knew it.
Brittany
You girls crack me up, see my above reply.
SaltlifeClemson
Good blog. Great photos. The seagulls here in Wilmington have a way of “finding” food on their terms no matter how much you hide it from them.
Lety C
Loved to read your post, your images are great! Specialy the one feeding the bird and the one flying away! How were your able to take those!! Love hiking, I I’m so glad you can apreciate and take the time to admire the views
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Hehehe, that last comment made me laugh.
Okay so I always see people around here using hiking poles when they’re walking on almost flat ground, and I’m confused by it… Are they unstable in walking in general? Is it a prop that makes them feel like a real hiker, even though the elevation gained on the walk is only like 200 feet? Ha. However, THIS is a hike where hiking poles should be used! Nice job pushing through and getting to the top once again!
Brittany
I couldn’t agree with you more, and even the beginning of this hike I questioned whether they were necessary. Unless it’s a STEEP climb, or unstable ground I find them totally unnecessary. I WILL say, should I carry some in the future, the main purpose will be for protection.
Laur
Can I come hiking with you followed by a cupcake binge and Starbucks roaster tour? PLEASE!
Brittany
YES, yes, YESSS!
Angela
AMAZING..Your perseverance and those photos wow! I wanna hike with you!!! Xo
Kelsey
It is definitely work for me right now — and that’s okay. I trying to make a relaxation plan for after work, and spending my mornings doing little chores and reading blogs before I commute to work. I find myself living for the weekend, and again – that’s okay. It makes me enjoy and savor every moment, and be happy that I can wake up early on those days to enjoy so much of them.
Amy
Oh my goodness, if you hiked in the snow with Renaud’s, then I am MAJORLY impressed. That’s something I would never dream of doing (I stay as far away from anything cold [excluding ice cream] as possible), so I am really proud of you for sticking with the hike despite the white fingers and toes!
Brittany
I sure did! I live in a state that gets decently cold, I try not to let the Raynauds dictate what I do!! It definitely hurts when I get stuck in snow though. I might have wanted to cry once or twice on this hike. HAH.
Amy
Girl, I definitely would’ve cried!! I went running a LOT earlier than usual this morning, andI lost the circulation in 8 of my fingers… Even with gloves. But I thought of you on your hike and kept going! 🙂
Jessica
I personally agree that the time between meals is a big obstacle to summit. That is why I try to avoid it by eating always. 🙂
LOVE your bird pictures!
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
Lol persevering between meals. Preach! Those are some amazing pictures you snapped, though. I totally know what you mean about teleporting – it’s kind of like when something painful or hard happens in your life and you just want to fast-forward to when you’re over it. Sadly, it’s just not possible. Love this post!
Ashley @MilesonOats
Those pictures are epic and should be since into the National Geographic, or your local news station when they review morning pictures of pretty sights. I am serious woman. Do it.
I persevere through the fear of instability. Living on my own away from family, solely dependent on my own means and job is darn scary. But I have to work hard to keep a clear mind, heart with Christ, and just have faith that it’s all going to be okay, it always is, isn’t it?!
Sending you love ❤
Brittany
Your strength and determination to be successful (which you ARE) inspires me!
jennifer prod
this post was so fun to read. love that you ventured out in the snow to share that apple, and love that the bird took it away even more – he knew what he wanted 🙂
kathy at real talk
you are one awesome lady, lady!! do you go hiking on these amazing mountains on your own? i want to hit my trails but i’m afraid to go at it by myself because you know, attackers and muggers and what not. also, with all that dense forest, it’s the perfect place to hide a body…..
Brittany
These thoughts constantly fly through my head. So far there are only three mountains on my list that I am comfortable hiking alone. Actually…two. I hiked another alone, but probably wouldn’t do it again. I didn’t go alone on this one though, I keep solo hikes around 4 miles because mentally it helps me feel like I won’t die.
amysrecipefordisaster
Sometimes it’s just a day at work. I know it sounds silly but lately the days seem to be more trying and exhausting – it’s fairly typical for this time of year. I’m working on not taking things personally and separating my feelings from some of the happenings. It’s a process for sure.
kim
Awesome pictures! What a cool hike!
svrtnsse
One thing my mother taught me – and which I’m glad I learned – is to always make sure you’ve got good footwear. There’s an amazing view in those pictures, and having the bird take the apple must have been magnificent, but I can see how the prospect of walking all the way back with wet socks would be less than appealing.
Then again, no one else is going to do the walking for you. The Show Must Go On – as Freddy Mercury would say. I guess that’s what perseverance is about to me, accepting the situation for what it is and dealing with.
Brittany
The show must go on indeed, I like your thought process.
dolthack
I persevere through keeping the now 2 year depression over the loss of my relationship, I do it by running and being thankful that I had the experience in the first place, then I run some more – because I’m persevering by running 5 half marathons and 4 full this year (a small number to many far more dedicated than I) and it seems to work. I’m also buoyed by great posts like this. Seeing my old tromping grounds puts a smile on my face remembering hiking in the alpine lakes wilderness.
Brittany
Well your small number, is a LARGE number to me. I have zero races on the calendar for the year, and definitely no marathons. Keep running, and keep moving forward.! Coming back from a broken relationship is painful for sure, perseverance is key. 🙂
Ellie
Oh man this hits home! Today at work I had two hours left…and it was one of those days where it was a struggle to get through. I thought about asking to leave early or finishing things up faster (and not as well done) just to leave. However, I knew I would not be happy with my performance and ashamed at the end of the day. I got through it, and rewarded myself with a nice walk on a lovely day with my best friend. It was worth it 🙂
P
The answer to your end-of-the-post question is pretty much how I feel every day that I’m not swamped with work, haha. If I have work occupying me, that makes the time fly by.
And those apple/bird pics…way cool!
Jane
Loved this post, Brittany! You are so adorable and funny. Great pics. You do make me smile. I am trying to persevere with writing a couple of novels and my blog despite finding oh so many other distractions along the way! Wish I could have done that hike with you even if I got a leaky nose. 😉
Mary
Fab pics with the bird!
Right now I’m persisting with packing for our house move. I hate it and it’s taking forever but I know things will be good in the end!
Arman @ thebigmansworld
LOL. You are impressive.
If you weren’t vegan, you’d totally have eaten the bird.
An Unrefined Vegan
Amazing shot, just amazing. That sweet little bird stealing your apple core was the reward for that slog up the mountain. Worth it!
Kayse
Looooove the two photos of the bird; first giving you the side eye, then stealing the apple core from your hand! I have a chipmunk that lives under my deck in the summers and I’m always trying to get him to come eat from my hand. He’ll come sit next to me and eat if I set it down though. Will the wonder of getting close to wild things ever lessen?! Don’t think so.
The last photo makes me want to come hike with you soooooo badly. Gorgeous, despite the snow!
I’m about to start working on persevering through wedding season.. I love being a wedding photographer… But 12 hour work days every Saturday all spring/summer/fall + at least double that amount of time on editing a wedding, is exhausting.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Now those are some ballsy birds. I dealt with their kind on Maui… except they were trying to steal blueberry scones from Starbucks, and they were man enough to crawl right into the bags that were sitting on the table…
Brittany
I just mentally pictured this scenario, and laughed out loud. Those birds are crazy!
Shawna
you are one tough cookie. i love your dedication to hiking, even in the snowy conditions. i think i’d be crying! i persevere through a crazy schedule and a lot of exhaustion in my daily life — workouts, full time job, grad school, social life, blog, boys…this girl likes to SLEEP!
ｒｉｋａ
I thought the bird picture was hilarious and cute…the snow looks crazy beautiful out there, sadly there’s no snow here in the PNW yet…Thank you for sharing your hiking pictures, you brave lady, you!
Brittany
I live in the PNW! HA. No snow on the ground, but there has been some in the mountains for sure. I’m thankful we don’t have any on the ground though…I’m not a fan of snow.
Leslie @ TriathleteTreats
OMG!! Looks so cold!! Good job venturing out in it!! 😉
I am trying to persevere in my new work environment!! Totally different than anything I have ever done!!!
katalysthealth
Oh my goodness I can’t believe that bird snatched your apple like that! That’s some patience to wait him out like that. I would’ve just tossed it at him and let him do his own thing lol And seriously that looks COLD!
Oscar Relentos
Flawless Victory with the bird taking the apple out of your hand!
Cocolooks4inspiration
I love this post on perseverance and I find you very inspiring. I nominated you for a blogging award – you can check it out here
https://cocolooks4inspiration.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/the-sisterhood-of-the-bloggers-award/
🙂
Brittany
Thank you! 🙂
Canicas
Just in case you were wondering, that bird is a Gray Jay, sometimes called “Camp Robber” because they just love coming into your campground and stealing your food!
Brittany
Yes! I Googled them last year when they first attacked, and found it was in their nature. Too funny.
Aja
That’s awesome that you got the bird to sit long enough for a picture though! I persevere by not persevering. Most of the time I have to remind myself that soon this will all be over.
Mandy
I love the bird photos!
Rach @ This Italian Family
This amazes me! The photo of the bird on your apple core in your hand… just incredible!
allieksmith
LOVE that picture of the bird on your apple! You should submit it into a phot contest or something! I’m sure you would win… it’s just awesome!
ifailedfran
Crazy isn’t it, how we focus on summiting that mountain, but the journey does not end at the top. It’s not like our grandparents walking to school… up the hill both ways. Sports teams don’t win a championship and then just go away… they try and defend that victory the following season. Sometimes that return trip, going back down the mountain, is just as difficult as the ascent. Just more proof that life is the journey, not the destination.
Anyways, those are some rad photos with the birds! Oh, and I found you from Meghan’s blog. =)
Brittany
So much yes! Thanks for stopping by, a friend of Meghan is a friend of mine!