"Stand Tall..... Be Proud....."

At that distinct point, when you know inside yourself, when your adventure goal, your wild place project is finally attained...

Then stand tall... be proud...

You planned and prepared as best as any of us could.

You have walked through the coals and made this real.

You now are where you envisioned yourself wanting to be...

So, stand tall... be proud...

When at your high point on this journey, it is important to pause, to savour and enjoy that moment in the process.

Take the time to look out over the four points of your compass if you are standing upon a summit, at the end of that trail, maybe looking over those waters, or simply now returning to camp...

All the steps you have taken this year, the efforts you have made, navigating the inherent trials always present, feeling the contentment and the excitement...

And, stand tall... be proud...

Yes, there are traditions which share that we are never as 'great' as our greatest accomplishments; nor as downcast as our worst setbacks... Even accepting this, it is still important to glance back, to gaze upon where we have stood before, and where we stand now.

Quiet and heartfelt celebrations of our journeys in this way are important and so very meaningful...

Again, stand tall... be proud...

Being proud in certain ways - developing an internal pride of the quiet kind has real energy and is another way of propelling ourselves further still; a powerful means to sustain our momentum...

So, Dear Finders, Dear friends, stand tall... be proud...

And then rejoin us at your launch point, back near the waters edge, maybe at tree line, and share your story with us of how at that moment this year in your adventurous life, you found yourself, standing tall... being proud...

DSD