いただきます (pronounced Eta-daki-mas), a word that all Japanese people would say before eating. Its literal meaning is “I’m receiving,” in the most respectful way that you can say it in Japanese. The spirit behind the word is to acknowledge all the sacrifice and labour, as well as the Earth, to make this food that nourishes my body and spirit, and I will receive it with great respect and gratitude without wasting it. I want to emphasize that it’s not an act of taking. It’s receiving. The results may be the same, but the mindset and the spirit behind taking versus receiving are completely different. Anybody can take anything without permission or mindfulness. Receiving is a gift, a blessing, and mutualism. We end our meal by saying, ご馳走様でした (pronounced Gochi-saw-sama-deshita), literal meaning: I had a feast, implying every meal is a treasure, and thank the Earth and those who prepared the meal. I love these words because they’re an indication of the importance of mindful consumption.

Remembering and saying these words are one of those things that I practice without shame no matter where I am, on or off the trail, and who I’m with or without. If those around me don’t know these words, I teach them the words, sharing a simple practice of mindfulness. While I was with Laurie and Leonard, I taught them the words. Laurie was able to say it perfectly! When I discovered that I was short on two meals and Leonard gave me instant rice, I said, いただきます (Eta-daki-mas) and thanked him.

Walking in the woods all day, I say いただきます all the time! The forest is full of gifts, and I receive the offerings with great respect. When I stop at water, I ask for permission and say Eta-daki-mas and cheers before drinking it. When I take a break to eat some snacks, I inhale fresh, moisture-saturated oxygen deeply and exhale, then say, Eta-daki-mas, not just for the food but also for the plants that produce oxygen for me. In exchange, we give carbon dioxide. This invisible kinship proves why we exist- we give, and in exchange, we receive. We benefit, and in return, we take good care of the Earth for the generations of all beings on this planet after my lifetime.

During this section, I received so many gifts!

For the past 5 days since Daleville, the weather was stable, and I was blessed with sunshine every day. It reminded me how pleasant and worry-free to walk in the sunny, dry weather. It was a completely different feeling. I didn’t have to watch the sky as much as I did when it rained eight straight days. I could relax and cruise the forest. I ended my first two nights with a signature sound of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia- whip-poor-will! When I first heard them, I thought they were frogs, then Laurie and Leonard taught me that they were birds. I loved hearing them; they call at dawn and dusk. They were loud like coqui frogs in Hawaii.

I was greeted with plenty of Rhododendron flowers leading up to the top of Apple Mountain. They’re almost the end of the season, so the trail was covered with flower petals, turning it a bright pink path.

About 12 miles south of the James River, I saw the first columbine flower of the season! I was thrilled. I had an urge to pick one to taste, and I waited until I saw at least 10 of them. I avoid being the one who sees something worth it and immediately takes it. I wait for a cue- abundance. It is a sign that I have permission to receive. I carefully picked one and said, Eta-daki-mas! The unique sweet fragrance burst in my mouth. I cherished the moment, celebrating the beginning of the season.

Later, I found three large patches of columbine flowers. Again, I was excited! I collected a few for my seaweed salad for dinner and kept going to Matt’s Creek. Nobody was camping at the campsite near the creek. I set up my camp, appreciating ending my day near the water. I walked upstream and found a nice deep pool for skinny-dipping. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more refreshing than bathing in the water. It wasn’t cold, so I soaked myself in a pool for more than a few seconds. There were a lot of small fish that came up to me and nibbled my skin. I gave them an “Eta-daki-mas” moment, letting them clean me up. Yes, a mutual relationship right there!

Yesterday morning, I was able to see early sunshine from the grassland on the ridge where the blackberry flowers were blooming everywhere. Soon, they’re all going to have berries enough for anyone who walks by the fruits. It would be an Eta-daki-mas garden! I can’t wait to taste huckleberries, blackberries, raspberries, wild strawberries, and my favorite- thimble berries in August when I arrive in Maine.

In the evening, before going up to the summit of Three Ridges, I came to Harpers Creek, which had beautiful waterfalls and bathing pools. It was inviting me to take a moment before the final steep climb to cool off. I skinny dipped in one of the pools, and it was amazing. I had random pain in my left quad since the day before, and after soaking in the water for about 30 seconds, the pain was gone! There was something different about Harpers Creek- I felt calm, peaceful, and healing energy from the water. A sacred water heals. I felt clean, refreshed, and ready to trek the last 4 miles. At the top, I found a beautiful camp under the Rhododendron flower trees, blessing me for completing another beautiful day on the AT.

Today, I came down to Rockfish Gap, the southern boundary of Shenandoah National Park. At the Kiosk, Dan, my friend Martha’s cousin, who lives near Rockfish Gap, came and picked me up. He took me to his beautiful country home, where his wife Bonnie stocked up their fridge and pantry with all my favorite food- fresh organic fruits, vegetables, tofu, rice, smoked salmon, sparkling water, and so much more! After taking a shower, they let me take up all the kitchen space, and I prepared my food.

I took my dinner to their beautiful backyard porch with a view of the open field in the golden evening light and sat on the comfy couch where I could cross my legs and sit comfortably. I placed my food on the table with full gratitude. My basic needs were all met- warm welcome, new friends, clean clothes, shower, and fresh food.

With that, I said, いただきます (Eta-daki-mas). Everything tasted amazing. I acknowledged all the sacrifices and labour, as well as the Earth, to make this food that nourishes my body, soul, and spirit, and I received it with great respect and gratitude without wasting it. It keeps me healthy, and therefore, I will continue thriving and living fully to my potential. Then I said, ご馳走様でした (Gochi-saw-sama-deshita)- I had a feast; the meal was a treasure, and I thanked the Earth and those who made it possible for me to have the meal- ending another day of life on the Earth with a simple act of mindful consumption.