"Happy Losses..."

"It will be equally easy to lose ourselves in their happiness... the cliffs, sky, and clouds. We desire to find what we know we will keep hidden from ourselves." P. Ament
Such happy losses they all are..... DSD

"The Ground Shook Beneath Us..."

It occurred in those very early, long ago seasons, as we followed along with every measured step that was taking us forwards, as we were being lead by our Outward Bound Instructors. Then in later years too, with every determined step of theirs, as our Mountain Guides took us upwards - the ground seemed to also be shaking beneath us... What had happened was truly an earthquake of sorts, of our emotions, tremors around our assumptions, and a shaking apart of beliefs and misconceptions. The ground of what had seemed to have been solid perceptions clearly shook beneath us so... What they were doing through their actions, showing us by their example, saying in their quiet yet potent ways, and in modelling who they were choosing to be as mentors' and as adventurers' out there - had shaken up our vistas of the world, and more importantly the sometimes limited views we each had of our very selves... Then what we began sensing, seeing, then realizing deeply, and finally believing in, was that the terrain we had previously created of our perceptions from before was not as solid as we had once felt. 'This was possible', 'we can do this', were now all our new compelling mantras. The concept that there was indeed more within us than we ever first knew became our new inviting geography... Our preconceived limitations were now shaken, our previously limiting beliefs were now shattered, our understanding of possibilities had shifted, and the epicenter of what we now truly knew had moved distinctly farther and higher. The ground had shaken greatly beneath us, and we were so very happy that this had happened..... DSD

My appreciation to Colin for his wonderful efforts and these thought provoking images.

"Becoming Acquainted..."

"Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself...". S. Johnson
So here's to embracing adversity through our welcoming adventures... DSD

"Funny Where..."

Funny where... We each might discover, inspirations not seen before... Interesting how, we each may find, new anticipations just not recognized yet. We never know for sure, what such first light may mean for us. Of the warmth within desires, wants, and dreams, we have yet to fully understand... We can never say for sure, that the mists do not hold things yet to be revealed, from passions yet to be uncovered from within their depths... Funny how... The beginnings of an adventure day reflects the dawnings within our minds, and the shifting of perceptions too. Such new vistas can hold out for each of us, previously hidden enthusiasms and motivations. Wonderfully funny it is... How we each will surely discover, mysterious inspirations not known before..... DSD

Thank you my Friends for sharing your inspirational images with all of us.

"Where To..."

"Not 'where from' but 'where to' carries me to the next mountain and beyond myself..." R. Messner
Meanings within a metaphor, waiting for us to do just this... DSD

"Meditations Upon A Dragons' Back..."

The very name of this part of that climb so intrigued me the first time I heard it. To finally be moving across that rock was thrilling. It was on our way, those long years ago, to our ascent of Castle Tower, also called Eisenhower Tower of Castle Mountain in Banff. While climbing the Tower itself was an amazing adventure experience, there was just something about the Dragons' Back that whispered certain quiet secrets. I have returned there many times now... You can scramble to this point but from there on it is a technical climb. That has invited me to enjoy going solo up to and then for long hours just upon the Dragons' Back itself. Solo because that seems the best way to slowly blend with the many elements up there. The winds themselves cross the crest of this part of the mountain often. The stone is unique in ways both felt and seen. The vistas from this point are special looking out and across to so many other mountains and valleys. When gazing one way in particular, you can imagine what it would be like traversing the sky itself up here, flying this way and that, upon such a Dragons' Back. I listen for the waters as well, amidst the occasional rains, or snow melt too, when I have meditated up there. Each contemplative experience when allowing this to unfold, I have lost any sense of time or place, and as surreal as that feels, it is very fitting and so reflective of the name: Dragons' Back. In my minds' eye today, I can envision once again, the next time I will share the sky, up so high upon this elusive wild place..... DSD

"Touching The Winds..."

"You are touched by something invisible, something that bends trees and makes strange sounds. It throws the ocean into confusion, whips up fantastic froths of cloud, and carries the desert off in its arms. And yet it communicates directly and intimately with you. You can feel its effects deep inside...". L. Watson

To be touched so by the wind is to be held in the embrace of an elemental... DSD

"To Ask And Answer One's Own Questions..."

Today I was reminded about the subtle sharing of some powerful ponderings that seem to echo for us all... They are from Outward Bound Leaders offered before solo, from countless quiet discussions around glowing campfires, and an old Mountain Guide friend, very grey of hair, but so youthful of energy and perceptions. With that sure confidence that grows from having asked and then having sought the answers to one's own questions - they invite us to ask ourselves as well: What do you want from this adventure experience? How is that important for you? And, on the best of all days out there, what would that be like? We ask ourselves too: What kind of adventurers do you want to be when out there? Who do you want to be like when wandering? More pointedly: How much do you really want this? And, if you get what you want from these experiences, what would that mean to you? We quietly ask ourselves as well: What do you hope, dream, and wish for about your adventures? What is in your mind's eye about them? And, why is that meaningful for you? Then when doing so, we discover that to ask and answer one's own such questions, especially while out wandering, is so potent an adventure journey in itself..... DSD

My appreciation Dear Friends for including your images from when out musing over you own questions.

"Of Meanings..."

"Mountain climbing for me is creation of meaning... To establish meaning is half the effort in life...". R. Messner
Have a wonderful meaningful adventure today my Friends... DSD