Turning Inches Into Miles by Heather Hutchinson

A veteran homeschool mother once shared some valuable wisdom. She said,
     "Focus on going a mile deep in a few things, rather than an inch deep in many things."

     As I contemplated that idea with my own educating style, that thought and piece of wisdom sounded easy andREFRESHING. 

     Why bombard my schedule with so many school/academic subjects?

    Why fill up my calendar & spend hours upon hours lesson planning for SO MANY
                                                                                                             subjects, topics, and academic ideas? 
This was exhausting and A LOT OF WORK! 

    This new idea of reducing the TO DO list for academics seemed like a great fit and so, I aligned our academic schedule with
 the "MILE GOALS" in mind.

     This approach helped tremendously as my family walked through new chapters in life including mourning the loss of both of my parents within a 14 month time frame.
 
    It was a new time of life for us. 

    A new chapter.

   Adjusting to the cycles of life.

     Grieving, major career changes, financial setbacks, relocating, 2 preteens, and a kindergartener.

     For those 2 years, "only going a mile deep in a few things", was superb advice and a necessary approach to allow our family to homeschool successfully during that time of major changes.

     Now that we have faced, conquered, and overcame, stronger through those changes and adjustments, I begin to reevaluate our previous "miles" we have studied. We are ready for another season of change.

     The thought occurred to me in our "FRESH START" season,

      WHAT IF WE NEVER EXPLORE THOSE HIDDEN INCHES?

     We could be missing some secret or hidden NEW hobby, passion, or craze of an exciting topic that may even send us down a
                                                                                                                                                                                                           NEW MILE.

     Recently, we completed our 2nd section hike on The Appalachian Trail.
                                                                  12.4 miles one day.

     Much deep thought provoking sessions occur to me while in my HIKE MODE.
                                                         
                                                                                            LOADS of time to reflect. 

     As we progressed INCH BY INCH, on the trail, we conquered MILES.

     Miles and inches we have NEVER TRAVELLED.

   Reflecting on all that life hands us daily, I conclude:

     If we never explore NEW INCHES, 
             than we will never conquer NEW MILES.

And so, for now, we are taking the time
     to explore new inches in hopes of finding hidden miles.


"A footpath for those who seek fellowship with the wilderness"