Thursday, December 20, 2007

"A Gift Of Adversity....."







My own recent experience this early winter both at home and out in the wild places have been all about change, challenge, the unknown, and what I have perceived to very much be adversity...
It may seem very unusual to wish the same as a gift for another this sharing season but therein is the power of natural paradox... Typically in my own struggles, I stubbornly resist such uphill trials and have difficulty in reframing them as growth through challenge... Yet the natural world is truly a wild place of such challenges, of constant order yet chaos, of heightened perception about the clear unknown, of desires and elements that push and test an adventurer to and past preconceived limits...
We may not always think about it in these ways but what draws us, what we often seek out there for adventure and fun, is in many ways synonymous with that which adversity itself offers us in return...
When I recall the adversity gifts bestowed upon me for example, I remember... Fears of open ocean, wind and waves... Multi day distant treks and getting very lost... Continuously elusive mountain summits... Unexpected impacts of terrain and altitude... Fitness challenges of injury and age... 5.9 routes that always seemed just beyond my grasp... Caving and my surprising reactions within enclosed spaces... among so many others...
Yet as Goddard & Neumann write about the adventure of climbing: "Realize why you climb. Climbing is not rewarding in spite of its frustrations. It is rewarding because of the very factors that can make it frustrating." Such enduring words as this are gifts of wisdom and insight too...
A. Hobson also said: "Adventure by its very nature, involves overcoming uncertainty, fear, obstacles, adversity and the unknown." F. Youngblood mused too how, "To those who have struggled with them, the mountains reveal beauties they will not disclose to those who make no effort." While Grandfather, a Mountain Elder, said... "Yes it can be a trial. Fear, doubt, pain, discomfort - these can be part of the price to be paid. Yet the gifts you have bartered for with your blood and your breath - what wealth! They will resonate with your very soul."
Such an amazing gift is the adversity within adventure.....
The present is often in the unexpected, the surprising things we discover... most often about ourselves... The reward is in the act itself of being out there in the midst of both the sunsets and the storms... And then we know too with such real certainty of the unopened presents to bestow upon ourselves of other future possibilities still waiting to be found within our wild places...
P. Stoltz & E. Weihenmayer said of this gift: "May adversity become the pathway through which you flourish." S. Covey wrote also; "One key lesson is this: no challenge and adversity, no deeper sense of meaning and purpose."
Is this not a fundamental motive for why we cherish and wish to protect those wild places where we have devoted our precious energy, time, sweat, tears, hopes, and fears...
S. Covey himself acknowledges: "Adversity has inspired me to be an alchemist, to turn lead into gold." And that pot of gold waits for you out there at the end of a wonderful trail of tribulations...
Those who find themselves through adventure adversity are indeed gifted... with awareness and abilities and memories so vivid and valuable... The tears we may experience of frustration can be alchemized into the tears we know within joy... Because as E. Weihenmayer mused further; "Isn't there something incredibly riveting about the human struggle with adversity? Maybe it's because within the struggle lies the essential wisdom we all need to become the kind of person we hope to be".
So, wish upon those stars we may see within another sleepless night in the midst of trial by rock, water, wind and waves... And trek towards a hard to reach horizon of your dreams... Continue to seek out the possibility hidden in that alpenglow just before you begin your most difficult climb... Keep looking for that rainbow wrapped summit that you have trained yourself for over so many years... For within this season, all these things, and adversity too, do I hope and wish for you.....
DSD






Thursday, December 13, 2007

"Spirit Stone....."





"Stones... chart the mysterious topography of the human spirit"... N. O'Connell
I simply love all things stone... Even a small rock, found by a stream, waterfall, ocean beach, or upon a mountain summit, can hold my attention for what seems moments of eternity... A rocky cliff... forever...
Depending on who is asked... 'Stone', may be referred to as one of the earth elements...
In the substance of stone can often be found characteristics we ourselves would aspire to... It is what it is, and does not try to be anything else... Stone is always centered, grounded if you will... Stone weathers the other elements and adversity so well...
The endless variety of rocks and cobbles reflect the countless personalities of the wild places they are found in... Their enduring nature is one of quiet strength...
How amazing are the forces that carve rock and shape stone in our natural world...
How wonderful it is that no two stones on a rocky beach of millions are ever exactly alike...
The above photographs were taken by 'Ataradrac' and posted upon Flickr. Ataradrac was so gracious to allow them to be placed along with this post...
Animated rock, spirit stone, like these have a unique history dating back to before known cultures... There are few of the worlds peoples who have not etched something of their history through stone as a medium...
Look deeply upon this spirit stone captured briefly in these photographs...
Gaze for a few moments on the beauty of the rock and the reflected spirits within...
Can you see what is also there... not apparent at first...
If you discovered these as Ataradrac did that day, might you too also muse over their charm and mystery...
DSD
Ataradrac's Flickr Link:






Friday, December 07, 2007

"When Our Paths Cross....."







There is one special trail in the Rockies where I wander upon about the same time each summer... There is a fellow hiker I have greeted out there at least a half dozen times... We call out as our paths cross, chat briefly, and smile as we part company with a 'see you next year'...
I find myself looking forward to that moment as I realize what day it is... A simple connectedness with shared meanings...
I was also able to enjoy some time this fall with a mentor and guide whom has shared much with me over the years, even when our moments together have been limited... A comment of his resonates with me: "People often come in and out of our lives and we rarely thank them for the part they played in our lives and we often do not realize the importance until time passes...".
Two other comments of his that are very positive musings for me have been in reference to 'being the change we wish for in our lives' and 'giving back in its many forms'...
It is a wonder to me how we may influence and touch each other's lives, even briefly at times...
These concepts seem very applicable to adventure experiences as we most often journey together with others through the wild places... Whether upon a rocky mountain path, a trail through secluded forests, upon a trek to distant summits, or along meandering coastlines and through deserted islands... there is always a moment that touches us to be shared out there...
Wild lands and adventures can create beautiful opportunities for a nexus, a connection, even a bond to occur... often in unexpected ways... I muse for example too how this happens after placing a small stone atop a mountain summit, to then be found there on a distant day... The stories of 'Finders' linked here cast morning light upon this perspective...
Then too, when sea kayaking a special group of our western coastal islands, I have shared such moments with a fellow party of adventurers... They are always together, while on those trips I have been solo... They allow me to become part of their fun and spirit for a few hours of shared laughter and lunch... When we head out on different bearings it is with a wave and much smiling... More simple connectedness out there when paths cross...
What might seem a simple moment out in the wild places actually resonates with us for years after...
Till we meet again out on the path.....
DSD