I hadn’t planned on visiting Muir Woods that morning.
I fed the dogs and ensured the house was in good shape. I checked my GPS on a whim. It was only about an hour away. I thought, why not? and decided to make the drive.
To reach the park, you have to travel down a narrow, winding road for about four miles. The morning was blanketed in fog, and each curve felt a little eerie — beautiful, but unsettling. When I finally reached the bottom and pulled up to the entrance, I realized I had no signal. The park ranger explained that I needed a parking reservation. I would have to drive back up those same four miles to make one.
So up I went again, through the same twists and turns. For a moment, I thought about not going through with it. The fog, the quiet, and those sharp curves made me nervous. But something in me said, you’ve come this far — follow through.
At the top, I finally got a signal, made my reservation, and started back down. This time, the fog began to lift. Light filtered through the trees, and what had felt intimidating just minutes earlier now looked peaceful — almost welcoming.
When I arrived, I parked and stood there for a moment, still unsure if I could handle the trail. Then I saw another woman moving gracefully along in her motorized scooter, smiling and taking in the view. That was all the reassurance I needed. If she could explore, I could walk.
So I did. I walked about a mile into the forest, surrounded by redwoods that stretched higher than my thoughts. The air was cool and damp — that clean kind of damp with a hint of pine. I stood still, breathing it all in — grateful I hadn’t talked myself out of the experience.
And crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to get there? That was its own quiet gift — a reminder that sometimes courage starts with a single, spontaneous yes.
Reflection Prompt:
When life asks you to travel the same winding road twice, what helps you keep going?
And who reminds you — even without words — that you’re more capable than you think?
Author’s Note:
This reflection began as a spontaneous voice note during a California housesit. That winding road — and the woman in the scooter — reminded me that courage is often quiet. Keeping through isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. Even when the fog hides the view, steady steps still lead to clarity.
By Tonia Tyler | #ConfidentStrides | Sweet N Social
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“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” ― 
Most of the time they are on the pond or on the lake. On a few occasions these birds are close to the walking trail or crossing it. As I come up on them, my heart starts racing and fear of them attacking me comes to mind.
My names are not meant to be harmful to these birds in any way. My names are meant as a visual reference for the fears generated in my mind. Instead of the sign saying “Caution Feeding Wildlife Can Be Harmful” I see “Caution Feeding Your Fears Can Be Harmful. For instance, in the picture above, I would name these birds confusion, worry, criticism and doubt. By giving the geese these names, I started learning to recognize the emotions that fear generates inside. By feeling and accepting the racing heart beat and the nervousness that arises, I recognize these are feelings of fear. It’s not that the fear will disappear, it is the fact that I have to feel the fear, breathe and keep on moving.
I love watching them interact with each other. It’s like they are so carefree. I never really paid much attention to nature the way I have this year. I must admit that I have learned so much by just watching the birds play and the flowers bloom. There seems to be a natural rhythm that flows all around us. Just when you see one group of flowers die off, another new batch of them bloom up.
e. I was about an hour into the walk when I looked up and saw the dark clouds rolling in. I heard the thunder in the distance, so I knew I was going to get caught. There was no choice but to keep on walking especially if I wanted to get back to my car. This is when you know you just have to brace yourself.
as so drenched and surprising feeling accomplished. I had weathered the storm.
The one book that has helped me put some of my feelings into perspective has been Eckhart Tolle’s book A New Earth.
Sweet N Social 
