Walking barefoot on gravel

Walking barefoot on the hot gravel. That's what I used to do as a kid, growing up in Phoenix--out in the desert.

It was hot. And rough. My friends and I would run around on the hot gravel while playing outside. Even in the middle of the summer! Denise, Katie, Michael, Holly and I would play outside in 115 degree heat. Heck, we didn't care. Those feet got toughened up. Often we'd step on stickers and pointy rocks, but no, we didn't care. That was to be expected.

I look on that experience as being analgous to challenges that I've taken on as an adult. Challenges are pretty fun to tackle. They can be scary (those stickers in the ground) and difficult (sizzling ground), but taking on enough challenges can toughen one up (the feet, remember?) to become able to take on the next one. And that can be so empowering. Such a rewarding experience.