Monday, February 28, 2011

"Ask....."



On this adventure,
In those moments,
What is it that you might need to ask...
What ponderings do you want to have answered...
What is it you hope to find; to discover yet again out there...
What could there be that you wish to more understand; maybe even about what you may already sense...
About out there, in the wilds.
About in here, within your heart.
From deep within your spirit too.
On this adventure,
In those moments,
Ask.......
DSD

Friday, February 25, 2011

"Ceremonial Stones..."




The ancients called them Stones of Ceremony, Learning Stones, Rocks of Passage, among other cultural & spiritual references and descriptions too. They were used in sacred ceremonial experiences, almost always out deep within the wild places, most importantly as ways of keeping memories alive...
Being the substance of rock, that of lasting stone, they became symbols passed from one hand to another; from one generation forward hopefully everlasting in this way. They are instrumental as ways for remembering, for recalling significant events, to bring back memories of persons, in relearning lessons to important to lose, in sharing stories of challenge and accomplishments, wonderments, and especially of emotions too...
The stories that were symbolically attached to such Stones of Ceremony were woven into their history, beliefs, and ways of the people who polished them so. This is not surprising considering the enduring substance of stone, and the uniqueness of every one in its' own shape, color, texture, and even the character of each one.
I have seen how persons hold these memory rocks with such reverence, almost as if by handling them, they return to a time before and become more in touch with those who have long ago passed them forward...
Combined with the nature of stone we join and blend the wonders of memories and ceremony, and the synergy found in doing so, is truly another kind of elemental energy.
While we only pass through these elements, Stones of Ceremony are indeed one of the eternal elementals from out there. They are like the Scholar Rocks I have written about before, another of the mysteries of hidden history the I so enjoy reflecting upon within my own stone endeavours.....
DSD

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

"A Touch On The Arm....."




I was just catching up with one of my old friends made while out years ago with Outward Bound. Both of us had been away recently coastal winter kayaking. There is a very close connection developed there that we have had for what seems ages now. We often chuckle and reminisce about our novice selves and the way we first faced challenges way back then. He was one who brought confidence with him to that experience, and then found new ways to grow this internal element even further when out there...During one of the many shared trust and personal challenge exercises, he stood beside me as I was next to go. Certain heights and some kinds of edges have always invited a bit of anxiousness for me. He could read this upon my face, and at that difficult point, he simply reached over and touched my arm... Then with a smile on his own face he just nodded to me...
This was a gesture reflecting subtle, powerful, quiet messages of 'I'm here', 'You can do this', and as he had just gone before, of 'If I can then you can'...
His face always comes to mind as I have passed forward such encouragement to others over these many years. Encouragement is a gift twice given it seems, and always, always, will bring a smile to each and every one of us adventurers...
DSD

Thursday, February 03, 2011

"An Immeasurable What If..."




What if.....
What if it all means we should go. You know, even with all of 'That'...
What if all of those other so important distractions, that daily distress, those preoccupations of people and time pressures, the never ending deadlines, family concerns, others issues, lack of support or sleep, that extra work, or feeling quite tired of it all - what if on another level of understanding and need, what if it all means you should go...
Of course, many of these are real concerns, important in their own way, and needing of some time and attention. But, what if, having all of these kinds of storms in our lives - rather than meaning we shouldn't or seemingly couldn't go, what if they all actually are telling us a different secret...
Even while they are trying us, testing us, to see how much we want these adventures; what if much of what we really need many times is to be found in the avocation of our wanderings out there... What if, by going, we discover more clarity, become centered again, more focused yet relaxed, renewed of energy, and so much more able to return to navigate all those other such things back here.
What if, after pondering this seemingly simple question, we each uncover a heretofore hidden and immeasurably valuable answer for ourselves...
What if.....
DSD