I started hiking pretty early in life. On weekends, as soon as I could drive, I’d strike out into the woods of Western Pa., heading to one state park or another. I’d lose myself on a hiking trail for hours, immersed in the stark silence, lush greenery, and tall trees. Along the path, as my mind slipped into silent reflection, I’d absently let my eyes fall on the occasional stroke of paint on a random tree, providing assurance that I was still on the right path.

They’re called trail blazes—that’s the official term for them—but ever since I started hiking, we’ve called them burn marks.

In general, burn marks are 2-inch wide by 6-inch tall boxes painted directly onto trees close to the trail. They’re placed strategically at eye level and are, for the most part, plainly noticeable to anyone traversing the route.

The colors of burn marks vary from trail to trail, but they tend to be consistent based on the path you’re on. Parks with multiple hiking trails will vary the burn mark’s color depending on the trail you’re following. In some instances, when trails intersect, a different-colored burn mark will signal the deviation. In rare cases, where trails meet, align, and share a path, two burn marks will sit side by side on a tree.

The burn marks on the Appalachian Trail are 2-inch wide by 6-inch tall white boxes painted directly on trees all along the way. Park officials hike the trail often, repainting the burn marks as needed to maintain their clarity. There are about 165,000 burn marks on the Appalachian Trail, which averages out to roughly one blaze every 70 feet.

The purpose of the burn marks is simple: they’re designed to help keep you on the right path. If you’re out on a trail, you’ll find them at eye level on trees as you make your way along. Burn marks are a signal that speaks loudly without words in the calm of the forest, saying, “You’re on the right path. You’re fine.”

Hiking trails are a lot like life itself. There are calm, smooth trails through beautiful wooded areas that end with a spectacular view over a wide valley, mimicking the ease of life that sometimes leads to success. It’s like a calm Sunday in a warm home, ending with a family dinner and laughter over a board game. Or a productive workday, with progress and collaboration, culminating in the return home and a smile from your child. Or a call from an old friend, offering the opportunity to reconnect.

But some trails are harder, with sudden, steep, arduous climbs and rock scrambles, challenging us to excel and push ourselves without the promise of reprieve. These are the trails of health challenges, when bad news comes from a doctor wearing a white lab coat and a sorrowful smile. Or tense moments in relationships, where words are hurled like daggers, each one drawing new blood. Or the disappointment of failure, dragging at you and threatening to sap your resolve.

Still, for every exhausting hill, treacherous climb, or dangerous descent, there’s the hope of something better on the other side. If we push forward carefully, work diligently, and focus with intent, there’s the promise of something better. Marcus Aurelius said, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Said another way, obstacles in our path can lead to growth if we view them as opportunities to learn and move forward.

And what’s more, there are always burn marks along the trail to let us know that, even though things are tough now, at least there’s an indication we’re heading in the right direction. On a hazardous, rocky path, there’s at least a burn mark up ahead, beckoning us forward, providing promise and reassurance.

If life is like a trail, then burn marks are the good people in our lives, providing guidance and assurance to keep going. The people who matter to us—truly and without fail—are the signals along the route. They provide us with confidence and resolve, in good times and bad, assuring us that just over that hill is a better time. The hard work is worth it, and this path is the right one, they tell us, with another indicator just ahead that we’re still on target.

The choice to recognize the burn marks on your path is just that—a choice. It takes a little work to see the burn marks on your path, but in the end, you’re better for it. Ignoring the signals on the path leads to straying from it, wandering lost in the woods for unnecessarily long periods of time. It’s a decision we can make. But another decision we can make is to be a burn mark. To be a signal on someone else’s trail is an option we can take if we choose to shed light on another’s path through life.

On life’s journey, take the time to recognize the burn marks. Keep an eye out for those who signal your journey is one of progress. Don’t stray from the path.