mdolla: Not All Who Wander Are Really Lost

We often fly through our lives without stopping to appreciate them. It’s important to reflect on the decisions that have brought us to where we are today.

Wild (2014) follows the true story of a woman who hiked 1,100 miles to rediscover herself and recover from a decade of personal tragedies.

Sometimes you have to get lost to find yourself

Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) is pushed to reckless and self-destructive behavior after the loss of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage.

With no hiking experience, she embarks on the Pacific Crest Trail to find herself. She proves her mettle and discovers strength and healing in the wilderness.

Everyone has a unique journey

The trail is the perfect backdrop for Cheryl to unravel years of pain that have destroyed her life. Casual flings, heroin use, and loss have ended her marriage and brought her to rock bottom.

Cheryl meets all types of people along the way. She encounters a man that welcomes her into his family’s home, the hiker, Greg, and the hunter that makes her fear for her safety.

Strayed grapples with insecurity and abandonment. When asked if she ever thinks about giving up, she jokes that she considers it every two minutes. She learns that she’s stronger than she ever imagined.

Every action you take impacts your life

We are the sum of every action we take. We may struggle with major life decisions, but our daily habits also have a ripple effect on our lives. We tend to forget that everything is fleeting, but what we do matters.

Wild made me reflect on how I use my time. Am I placing enough value on relationships and family? I walked away from the film feeling profound gratitude and motivation to keep working for a better life.