"Personal Constellations..."

Constellations are much more than a grouping of stars...
These subtle outlines within celestial images are full of the most ancient history and mystery too. For ages, such constellations and the stories told of them, were associated with journeys, and especially meaning. It was a wise wanderer and a knowing person, who made the constellations a part of their lives.
We often particularly associate them with navigation. Who has not gazed up at the North Star, and then discovered a new course to set out upon at times when far out in the wild places.
Stars inspire us. They gift us with a special light set against the darkest sky. They are potently full of adventure metaphors. Thus they subtly also encourage us...
When we take this a step even further though, then we create a whole new direction for ourselves. Outward Bound first invited me to do this. For years I have passed forward this engaging gift as well.
Constellations can be very personal. Selecting and giving meaning to a grouping of stars can be exceptionally inspirational. By doing so we each then navigate by such an individual constellation in truly unique ways.
To choose a constellation as a reflection of ourselves is to always be assured of journeys for beauty, enjoyment, and meanings often only told of in tales. The brightest of these stars are the ones that will always hold true for us again and again, season upon season, adventure by adventure...
Stars can represent our motives, our dreams, and desires.
Stars can mirror what we want, within our adventure goals and objectives for out there.
Stars echo too about the person we want to become, and for the close companions who share in our experiences.
When we are challenged by life's adversities, which we each surely will, our personal constellation is always there for us. Gently assisting and forever pointing the way, through the inevitable trials of life's terrain and then beyond. When we are in the midst of those times when we feel lost, we know they are there. Waiting to shine out and quietly give direction and support. There is something very comforting about having such constellations in our lives...
Creating our own personal constellation is to live among awe, like the inspired ancient mariners.
So when the sun next begins those travels towards its resting place this very evening Dear Friends, turn and look at the far distant horizon, and begin to gaze up in the approaching night sky, upon your very own personal constellation..... DSD

My appreciation for sharing your wonderful images my friends.

"Summit....."

"A word or an image is symbolic when it implies something more than its obvious and immediate meaning. It has a wider 'unconscious' aspect that is never precisely defined or fully explained. Nor can one hope to define or explain it. As the mind explores the symbol, it is led to ideas that lie beyond the grasp of reason...".  Carl Jung

An amazing noun.
An enduring verb.
A wonderous metaphor indeed..... DSD

"Go Anyway....."

Endless days of rain that time out, but interestingly on the far side of this, such smiles and laughter was to be found.
Many nights of cold, still - another discovery for such warmth of companionship and accomplishment.
Then came that lasting echo...
Rain, cold, whatever.
Go anyway...
Those storms we face may seem to stall our efforts. Yet they can also though, become part of our strengths and energy.
Thunder and lightning will happen too. As will the moments for embracing rainbows that occur after, just as often out there.
Those strong winds are usually first felt as barriers. But can also later many times blend in with our momentum and motivations.
We've done what we must.
We've prepared all we can.
We've trained hard for long months.
We plan and take many options for any gear we might need.
So, regardless now of whatever may placed in our path, let's go anyway...
For hidden out among the wild places, as a gift for those who persist in venturing far in these ways, are profound experiences, eternal memories, and unforgettable forever moments.
If we choose to endure, to stay the course, and go anyway..... DSD

My appreciation for sharing your enduring images with us Dear Friends.

"Within....."

Subtle sounds within what we all sense.
Sense within many of nature's tones.
Tones within movement and long meditations.
Such meditations among our wonderous mountains.
Mountains of contemplation, connection, and spirit.
All within just the next step..... DSD

Dedicated this season to all those amazing adventurers who are out there 'Adventuring For Another Reason...'.

"There Is Something Very Cleansing About Sweat..."

An intriguing old Outward Bound saying, this musing, about there being just 'something very cleansing about sweat'...
A high level of effort, focus, and concentration are almost always required when we adventure so. This process though, is not just about attaining goals out there, yet also more mysteriously about the transmutation of energy too.
When we are working it out high on a mountain, or far away upon an open ocean, we are more than simply moving. We are tempering our very selves, and essentially distilling our dreams as well.
In those deep dry desert canyons, we discover ways and means for purifying while canyoneering. For letting go, and moving past, any other kind of fevered distractions.
On a fifty degree slope, then getting ourselves through the crux of a climb, we are curing ourselves. pushing our bodies, mind, and spirit beyond what we had ever before thought possible.
After endless days out on our longest hike, we labour, toil, and then revel in the moisture emitting from our honed bodies and brow.
Anyone who has peeled off their neoprene after hours out riding extreme winds and waves, knows exactly what I mean too.
What amazing paradox's these adventure experiences at first seem...
One of the byproducts of our adventure rituals is sweat.
And there is something very cleansing, even extremely healing, about this product of perseverance.
We move so and remove unneeded issues. We push so and eliminate that which is not necessary. Then we discover freedom among all these elements of effort...
Such cleansing endurance is a potent passage, a means of discovering so much more within than we ever first realized.
We may not be as clean by any means as in the beginnings of our journeys, but that simply doesn't matter. We've distilled ourselves down to the important things - the truly necessary basics, of vision and dreams, fulfilled by muscle, bone, and tendon.
We have also exercised our intentions which induces real meaning, resulting in motivation and musings of significance.
There is just something pure, very cleansing, even gently healing, within such reflections upon our earned adventurous sweat..... DSD

My sincere appreciation for the inspiring images above from Paradox Sports which share more than my musings ever could.

"Understandings....."

"Everything in the world has a hidden meaning... Men, animals, trees, stars, are all a kind of hieroglyph. When you see them you may not understand them. You think they are really men, animals, trees, stars. It is only years later that you truly understand...". N. Kazantzakis

That we begin to understand at all is amazing and so wonderful... DSD
My appreciation to David Terrell for the above inspiring image called "Song Of Running White Wolf".

"Still And Quiet As A Stone..."

So still...
So very still I am.
Many tracks around right here.
And over there as well.
Listening to running water, there is a creek among these trees.
So still...
So very still I breathe.
Hoping...
To see that wild grey beauty.
A glimpse of such furred wonder.
So still...
So very still she is.
Approaching the cold waters.
Slowly, so slowly, so naturally cautiously.
I think I am not seen.
So quietly sitting here.
No movement at all, now holding my breath.
Then she slowly turns and looks.
Purposefully right towards me.
So still these movements become.
Watching each other...
I am pondering in awe and timelessness.
We seem to know one another.
To understand our calm intentions.
Such grace and beauty.
Such wild wonder...
I feel time now stand still.
In all of what we then share.
Now I remember to breathe once more.
As so gently and quietly she moves away.
Then looks back upon me.
With those brightly colored eyes.
So still, so still I am.
So forever grateful..... DSD

Dedicated to our shared Earth Day this unfolding season...