Sometimes you just need to get off the trail and explore.

Established roads, paths and trails show you where others have traveled. They take you to the places folks find interesting. They are safe, sure and reliable.

But you can learn more from getting off the trail – from bushwhacking through the messy undergrowth.

Sure, you’ll come back with burrs stuck to your socks, twigs entangled in your hair and mud-covered boots.

You’ll also also bring back stories and experiences that few others can match.

(And remember, bushwhacking is a state of mind. You can do it just as well in big cities as in remote wilderness.)

Stubbornness is an underappreciated trait in this world.

Being stubborn, in the right sort of way, is a valuable characteristic. It keeps you going despite the wear and tear of your daily grind.

Mountains are my favorite example Nana provides of the proper form of stubbornness. They show you how things on this planet can weather storms, winds, ice, and even time itself with strength and grace.

And although they bear the scars and wrinkles that come from these struggles, they display them with well-deserved honor.

Not every day can be sunny and clear.

In fact, you need the grayer days once in awhile — when the world blends into muted tones, shapes and textures.

They give you an excuse to let your eyes and mind relax from having to focus so hard on life the rest of the time.