In Praise of Being Accident Prone

Preparing to descend

We cannot make a date with enlightenment. Enlightenment is an accident and spiritual practice makes us accident-prone - S. Roshi

What if one of the most important events in your life only happened because of an accident?

Several years ago, my friends and I prepared for a grueling hike into the Grand Canyon. Having never been there, I was not sure what to expect. The plan was to complete the South Kaibab / Bright Angel Loop (7-mile descent, 2-mile river trail, 8-mile ascent) in one day, during the hottest part of the summer. My training regimen included weight-training, 6-mile runs, and 9-mile preparation hikes in the Atlanta heat. I studied about nutrition and hydration. I read everything I could about how to do this hike safely. On the day of the hike I was only sure of one thing – I was in the best shape of my life.

We got an early start for our anticipated 10-hour hike and arrived at the bottom of the canyon, the Colorado river, in about 3 hours. The temperature was 117 degrees, prompting us to take a 30-minute break. After replenishing water supplies, we proceeded along the 2-mile river path to get to the exit trail. This stretch of the hike is the easiest because it is flat and provides a welcomed break before the hardest part, which is all uphill! I knew my training was paying off because I felt like I was floating along the trail. My trekking poles seemed to do all the work, leaving me free to gaze up at the incredible shadows, colors, and contours of the majestic walls. The bottom of the canyon felt like the top of the world. But in an instant, my gaze went from majestic walls to brush and dust!

With my head up and adjusting my pack, which was loaded down with water, I stepped awkwardly on a rock and began to tumble. I knew before I hit the ground, I had severely sprained my right ankle. I was immediately immersed in a wave of high anxiety and disappointment. But I was also confused. How could I get injured on the easiest and flattest part of the hike? As I felt my ankle blowing up inside my boot, I tried to calm myself and consider my options. Ultimately, it seemed the only practical thing to do was to keep walking. I tightened my boot to contain the swelling and started moving. I put all the pressure of my weight on the heel of my foot to minimize the pain in my ankle. With every slow and agonizing step, I wondered how long it would take to complete what should have been the final 7 hours of the hike. The answer is 11 hours. I stepped out of the Grand Canyon just before sunset exhausted, in pain, and thankful for the end of the ordeal.

Despite this experience I count this day as one of the greatest of my life. Partly, because I survived it, but more importantly for lessons I learned.

1. Everything I did to prepare for the hike was leading me to the moment of the accident. I was ready for dehydration, cramps, snake bites, sunburn, blisters, broken shoelaces, and a host of other surprises, but none of that prevented me from spraining my ankle. However, it occurred to me I never would have injured myself if I'd not taken the trip. I never would have taken the trip without training for it. I never would have trained if my friends had not convinced me to go. I never would have been convinced to go if I did not have the desire to see one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Every decision and preparation related to this hike, contributed to the reason I got injured.

2. Everything I did to prepare for the hike helped me overcome the accident. Having gotten past the challenge of the day, the next concern was how I would feel the next day on my way to recovery. For the remainder of the hike I would use every muscle countered to the way I had trained. The next morning, I was extremely surprised. I had intense pain in my ankle, but the rest of my body held up very well. I realized that while I could not predict what might go wrong, preparing for many things, in some strange way, prepared me for anything. I know today that if I had not been in the best shape of my life, I would not have been able to exit the canyon under my own power.

3. Everything I did to prepare for this hike became a part of something greater than myself. Several years later I returned to the Grand Canyon with my son, giving me opportunity to recount the experience. I anticipated telling a story full of boasts and accomplishment. But looking out over the expanse and depth of the canyon I was at a complete loss when he asked, "how did you do that?” Honestly, I don't know how I did it. I cannot recall any specific step, increment of time, or moment of truth that pushed me along. It feels more accurate to say I was being pulled along by something greater than myself. I was in a place I really wanted to be, with friends I really cared about, doing something I really loved. In retrospect, the accident seems beside the point, and just one of the several important experiences of that day.

I am not advocating for all our actions to result in getting injured in order to learn lessons. These are my lessons and they are insights gained by my specific experience of getting injured. “Accident prone" bears a negative connotation. But it can also be positive term if there is a conscious and willing preparedness for whatever unknown challenges come our way.

Jess Villegas: CEO, Business Performance Consultant, Leadership Mentor