How Hiking Mirrors our Spiritual Journey and Why Faith Matters Most

Before leaving for this Hawaii trip, I went on a hike locally (in MA). As I moved along the trail, I found myself noticing each step; how intentional it needed to be, how aware I had to stay of the ground in front of me, and how much that reminded me of life.

Every step we take matters. But so does pausing, breathing, looking around, and remembering the beauty that surrounds us.

It was a quiet realization at the time, a gentle nudge, but I didn’t yet understand how deeply that theme would follow me to Hawaii.

It wasn’t until I found myself on the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, taking in the cliffs, the ocean, and the surprising twists of the path, that it all started to develop.

And thanks to a Kalalau Trail guide I met later in the trip, the message finally clicked.

“Stop and look up.”

That’s what one of the trail guides said to us before we ventured out on our own along the Nā Pali Coastline.

“People get so focused on each step,” he said, “that they forget to stop (or pause) to look up and see the beauty around them.”

Isn’t that exactly how life works?

We’re so determined not to slip.

We’re so careful not to fall.

We’re so focused on what’s right in front of us (the next decision, the next responsibility, the next challenge) that we forget to lift our gaze.

We forget to breathe.

We forget to trust.

We forget to look up.

And sometimes, we forget that we’re not meant to walk alone.

How Hiking Mirrors Your Spiritual Journey (Look Up & Trust)

The Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail is stunning— golden cliffs, rolling waves, sacred landscapes, history you can feel in the bones of the earth. But it’s also unpredictable.

Some areas are rugged.

Some are soft and sandy.

Some twist in directions you wouldn’t expect.

And then there was that moment; the moment my friends and I suddenly ended up…on a golf course!

One minute we were on the trail, immersed in nature.

The next minute we were walking across perfectly manicured green grass, looking around and laughing at the absurdity of it.

Unexpected? Absolutely.

But that’s the spiritual journey in a nutshell:

We think we know where we’re going.

We think we can see the path ahead.

And then suddenly the divine says,“Detour!”

The universe loves a plot twist.

And here’s the part that hit me:

Even when the path looks unfamiliar or doesn’t look like a path at all; it doesn’t mean we’re lost.

It often means we’re being redirected, expanded, or shown a new perspective.

Faith is what carries us forward when the terrain changes. AH Faith my word for 2025! (See more on that later)

As I was hiking, that theme kept circling back in my mind: We are not designed to do life alone.

On the trail, we naturally support one another:

• We warn each other where the ground is slippery.

• We hold out a hand during tricky sections.

• We stop together to catch our breath.

• We point out the scenery the other might have missed.

Life works the same way.

We need people.

We need connection.

We need support.

We need reminders.

And we need those soul-aligned companions who say things like:

• “Hey, look up. You’re missing the beauty.”

• “You don’t have to do this by yourself.”

• “It’s okay to rest.”

• “You’re on the right path. Keep going.”

That message followed me through my entire trip.

Every hike.

Every ceremony.

Every conversation.

Every moment of grounding with the ʻāina.

It was as if the land itself was whispering, “You are supported. You are guided. You are not walking this alone.”

 

Faith and the Hawaiian Trails that Proved It’s Everything

My 2025 word: Faith is the bridge between where you are and where you’re going, especially when the path suddenly turns into a golf course.

You may not always understand the route.

You may not always see the bigger picture.

You may not know why you’re being led in a certain direction.

But you can trust the energy guiding you.

On the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, I didn’t question the detour.

We just kept going.

We followed the signs.

We stayed open.

We trusted the path even when it didn’t make sense.

That’s what faith looks like in real life.

The Words the Islands Left Me With  

Those words hold the entire message of this trip for me.

Stop — pause long enough to breathe, feel, and listen.

Look up — don’t miss the beauty because you’re too focused on avoiding the next stumble.

Keep going — trust the unexpected path, the unseen guidance, the divine timing.

Life is full of surprising turns.

Some lead you deeper into nature.

Some lead you straight across a golf course.

But every step is part of the journey and none of it is accidental.

As long as you’re listening, trusting, and walking with faith, you are exactly where you’re meant to be. That is the MAGIC! ✨