Yesterday, before heading out on our hike, we stopped for a short visit to a nearby sculpture forest. The property is privately owned by a local artist who not only lives there but also creates her work in a studio attached to her home. She has graciously opened this private oasis to the public—free of charge—inviting visitors to wander along a guided path and discover whimsical sculptures and imaginative art scattered throughout the woods. It felt like a gift she was offering the community: a quiet, creative space to pause, reflect, and be inspired.
Although our day also included a very challenging hike followed by a leisurely walk through Blue Mountain Village afterward, it’s the unique experience at the sculpture forest that has lingered with me. The forest was filled with thought-provoking pieces, each one inviting me to slow down and take notice.
But it was a bench with a hand-painted message on it that stopped me in my tracks. It read:
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
I stood there for several minutes, allowing the words to sink in.
I began to think about how they relate to all the gifts I’ve discovered in my own life, many of which have been uncovered through my mental health journey. For me, it’s been advocacy and writing. They’ve given me the courage to speak up, to educate, and to take a stand for what matters deeply to me. They’ve also given me the tools to process my own experiences while building connections with others.
These gifts didn’t happen overnight. They unfolded gradually, shaped by both struggle and opportunity. These gifts have become a part of my becoming.
Over time, through my very long and tiresome journey, I’ve come to understand that true purpose is found when we share our gifts with others. When words resonate with someone else, when a piece of my story helps another person feel less alone, when awareness sparks conversation or even change.
It’s in the giving away that a gift transforms into something greater than ourselves, even if fear, doubt, or rejection whisper otherwise.
And so, as we scratched another grueling 10 km’s of the Bruce Trail off our list again today, I couldn’t help but feel that same sense of purpose. Every hike I complete feels like a gift—each step strengthening both my mental and physical health, each trail offering a chance to reflect, connect, and give something back simply by sharing the journey.
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YouAreEnough 