"The First Time On Outward Bound..."

"A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are for...". John Shedd

The first time this was said on Outward Bound, it struck a few as funny because while this old quote reflected on ships and the ocean, we were deep within the mountains. Yet metaphors and Outward Bound blend together like summits and the sky, so the next few times we heard this we listened with different ears...
Now, looking far back to those origins and beginnings, many of us can see as well how Outward Bound had firstly sent us forth - launched our very selves and lives upon so many amazing undertakings. We have since propelled ourselves towards mountain summits, then launched further when rappelling on our return. We've initiated treks so far, taken first steps out in wild places previously only envisioned, gone forth on the open ocean and among canyons so much farther and deeper than ever expected.
Such launchings...
So many wonderful journeys, all from those first fledgling beginnings. We adventurers are born for this kind of experience. It is elemental, primal, an inherent part of us and what we do when we wander the wild places.
Soon, I am about to 'commence once more', for long days and as many nights, starting on a course that has taken years for it to come into being. I will launch with my sea kayak out towards my farthest, most elusive coastal island yet, with new expansive intentions, towards those dreams only known upon a map until those moments. My goal is the creation of memories, that would not have been a possibility, without being sent off in those truly encouraging ways, so long ago on Outward Bound..... DSD  

"We Are All..."

"We are all in some sense, mountaineers... and going to the wilderness is going home." J. Muir

"The Road Ahead..."

"The road ahead,

is not some predetermined path,

that I am forced to trod.

But it is a rich byway,

That I can help create...".

Craig. Lounsbrough

"Farther Meanings..."

"At various points in our lives,

or on a quest,

and for reasons that often remain obscure,

we are driven to make decisions,

which prove with hindsight, 

to be loaded with meaning...".

Satchidananda

"Balancing..."

"What is joy without sorrow.

What is success without failure.

What is a win without a loss.

What is health without illness.

You have to experience each if you are to appreciate the other.

This is always going to be suffering.

It's how you look at your suffering,

how you deal with it,

that will define you...".

Mark Twain

"Begin With Your Map..."

"Who has not spread out a map on the table and felt its promise of places to go and things to do and see... Maps embody a perspective of that which is known, and a perception of that which may be worth knowing." J. Wilford

This seems such a natural time for musings during these early dawning days of a new year. To me, maps are visual metaphors for new ideas...

Maps are more than useful for finding one's direction or sorting out some kind of navigation. Yet they can also reflect a true genesis of creative ideation and imagination. This is pure fuel for our enthusiasm and motivation.

This timing and kind of effort inherently reflects new beginnings and the nature of our 'beginners mind', the ability to see things in new ways and with fresh eyes.

Such musings and map reading are all about fresh starts, about things worth wondering over, adventures to ponder about. There is so much fun to be found in the planning of climbs and scrambles to unknown summits, deep canyons to explore, kayaking routes to enjoy, hiking and biking trails to set out upon.

I have always been so intrigued by maps. And believe, as R. Schultheis said, "There are many potential maps of course; physiological, psychological, biochemical, theological, and anthropological." There can be many dimensions to maps; more so than are just apparent on a flat piece of paper.

Especially the exploring, of new places, of ourselves in those places, and of unique perceptions.

These are all means for adventuring.

I have so many maps. Those upon my wall, rolled in protective tubes, old worn folded maps, and those I enjoy discovering while paging through the endless excellent adventure guides to be found out there.

Map musings re-mind us of what memories we have created and what adventures we wish to have... DSD 

"Today..."

Deng Ming-Dao mused, "When one walks in the woods or climbs mountains, there is a wonderful unity of body, mind, and spirit... One is freed to observe nature's lessons. Gnarled roots. A flight of swallows. Bladed reflections of rushing water. Just budding bare branches. Gray rock, cracked, shattered, and worn. A fallen tree. A lone cloud. The laughter of plum branches. Even a little circle of rocks beside the trail - who put them there, or did any hand arrange them, and no matter which, what are the secrets of that circle? There are a thousand meanings in every view, if only we open ourselves to see the scripture of the landscape."

Today, I hold a single rock in my hand, from such a wild place, remembering one meaning from within a thousand. 
Now, I think I will splash just a little bit of paint upon this stone, and place it somewhere appropriate and special just for you... DSD   

"Happy 150th Canada..."

"Where Our Rainbows Begin..."

"A heart of gold,

is where,

the rainbow really begins...".

T.L. Kubasko

"Fire Is Magic..."

"For the entire history of humanity,

we have stared into fires,

hypnotized by the twitch and flow,

of the blues and yellows.

We see the stars of skies reflected in the coals,

and divine messages in the dance of the flames.

Fire is magic,,,".  

Lance Conrad

"The Four Directions..."

"Remember... The gifts of the four directions. The East is the new day, renewal, innocence, hope, joy, and new beginnings. The South is learning, preparing, strength, sensitivity, goals, and reflection. The West is the unknown, of dreams, meditation, going within, and a place of testing. The North is about wisdom, moderation, teachers, elders, fulfilment, and memories. There is no ending in the journey of the four directions...". Grey Wolf

"How Far..."

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go...". T.S. Eliot

"Of Risk..."

"The trouble is,

that if you don't risk anything,

then you risk even more...".

Anon

"Balancing Between..."

"Somehow,

we find it.

The balance between, 

whom we wish to be, 

and whom we need to be.

But in most moments,

we simply have to be satisfied,

with who we are...".

Brandon Sanderson

"Of The Questions Asked..."

"In the high country of the mind, one has to become adjusted to the thinner air of uncertainty, and to the enormous magnitude of the questions asked...".  R. Pirsig

"Oh, To Forever Muse..."

"I have found power in the mysteries of thought, exaltation in the changing Muses".   Euripides

"Muse on nature with a poet's eye". T. Campbell

"To muse: To ponder, reflect upon. In Greek & Roman Mythology, Muses were the Daughters of Zeus; Inspirers of effort, music, and poetry.
The Gods sent the Elemental Muses to us as gifts. Water, wind, air, earth, and especially fire - these are the spirits that sustain our enthusiasms."   Anon

Oh, to forever Muse, while out wandering among the elements. Is there anything more full of awe and wonder..... DSD  

"For So Many Reasons..."

There are so many adventure experiences that may be enjoyed by each of us, so very many terrific interests for being out there. So many motives for such efforts and for taking on these challenges, enduring the trials, pushing through the limitations. They are such personal, individual grounds for going we each hold to, yet on occasion, at very special times, we can move among the wild places for another reason.

Something else becomes the fire in our belly for being out there. Something very special transforms both our purpose and our very being. This evolves from a different kind of motivation, from a whole new level of intention; for why we do what we do in our chosen adventures. There is a unique energy within such reasons. There is also a special kind of commitment towards then fulfilling such an adventure objective. What has now influenced us to go, what then induces us to keep going, is seen to have a very different genesis. We have now chosen and committed to another kind of adventure - an adventure of cause, of purpose, one that we see as so deserving of support. Be it as a soloist, or within the symphonies of a group, we set out on a trail of inspiration, resolution, determination & dedication, that has its' own unique nature within it. We are adventuring for another reason, often for another person, who may not be able to wander the wild places as we might. While they may not be with us, they are causal, truly instrumental, as to why we are out there.

Their needs become our inspiration; their wants become our objective.

We have committed to paying a different price and our efforts, and our following through, are reward enough themselves. We are out there for anther purpose. Climbing, scrambling, hiking, paddling, trekking, biking, running; now for an ideal - for another very special reason.

What might those reasons be for you Dear Friends.......

DSD

 

***Please see all the wonderful sites linked to the right, for many amazing opportunities to 'Adventure For A Farther Reason'...***

"Some Viktor Frankl Perspectives On Meaning..."

"Man's search for meaning is a primary force in his life. I think the meaning of existence is not invented by ourselves, but rather detected".
"There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions, as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one's life."
"Suffering ceases to be suffering in some way at the moment it finds a meaning."
"The meaning in life always changes, but it never ceases to be...".

Viktor Frankl

"Subtle Meanings..."

"The acid test of a true adventurer, if presented with certain anonymity, is whether each of us would still have made the journey beyond the last blue mountain..." M. Clark

"Farther Meanings..."

Remember, the last time you heard an eagle's voice. Those who have also heard the longing calls of a loon out over a northern lake know how moving this is as well. We who have listened intently to the haunting music grey wolves create in our forests and mountains, have felt so much within those meaningful moments too. When sea kayaking out near grey whales, or nearby orca's, these momentous experiences become unforgettable memories.
Who has stumbled upon the tracks of a wild animal, like a mountain ram, or those of a grizzly bear out among the high peaks, and has not known the wonder, the tingling, the impelling attention such a discovery invites within us all.
When we ponder the distinct significance of these moments, as we muse over the importance and symbolism within these lasting connections, we then discover such amazing meanings ...
We are all seeking so many things out there. Something reflecting our personal purpose, our individual insights, our own unique motives, These are enduring perceptions that affirm what is most moving for each of us.
It truly can be those ephemeral connections with the wild ones, our wild animal friends, that present exactly that kind of wonderful possibility. 
Then, when we share something of our intentions and commitments with them in turn, we begin to understand our most inner selves as well..... DSD