It was an honor - inspirational, thought provoking and delightful - to hear Wild Author, @cherylstrayed, speak at @concordiastpaul tonight about facing grief, and mess of a self, at 26 by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. She was lovely. Speaks like she writes, articulating all the things with just the right emphasis. Her vulnerability is stunning and inspiring, all balanced with random profanity (which I so appreciate). Good swear words too, like fuck and motherfucker, offset surprisingly by phrases like holy smokes:) She shared a lot of great things, but one that stood out was when she described how she was going into the woods on this hike to "find herself," but upon being in the woods discovered "that I was actually really in touch with myself and I realized I needed to get over myself." Sometimes things are that simple, although hard to uncover because of their simplicity. I've been in a place, mentally, for a while that I can't get out of (fearful, self doubty and a bit empty). I know I'll move past it because I always do - and I respect that I'm growing - but tonight's reminder from Cheryl was a message I needed to hear. Helped put some things I've complicated into perspective and I'm really grateful for it. Cheers to getting over yourself. #reflection #spirituality #gratitude #cspwild #wild #badasswomen (at Concordia University, St. Paul)