It’s so simple that sometimes it seems impossible

I go outside because it calms me. I notice more, and at the same time, I notice less. If that sounds funny, is it because it’s so simple? Sometimes I don’t know if it’s a gift or a problem to oversimplify things. All I know is that when I am surrounded by nature, it’s not about me simplifying things at all. It’s simply about noticing them. Sometimes the smallest things, the ones that some don’t notice at all, are what amaze me the most. The light that makes it to the forest floor, the way the wind blows the leaves off a tree, or the reflection in a puddle.

Sometimes I notice other things, like the bugs that are flying around me, the weight of my backpack pulling me in to the ground, or the pain of each step that I take. All these things are present, and in the end it is my choice alone to decide what to notice. It’s when I choose to notice the positive things that I am really appreciating life and how lucky I am.

We came to this lake and it started to rain, hard. There was a lot to notice, but all I saw was water bouncing off of water. It was so beautiful, and everything else left my mind for a short time. Nature is able to help do this for me from time to time and that is why I love it, but I know it’s not for everyone. That is ok because that is not what is important. What is important is finding what helps you to empty your mind of all the distractions that are keeping you from noticing whatever it is that brings you happiness.

Looking at the future

I am staring at the future while it stares over a two thousand foot cliff, and all it can do is ask when we are going to go shopping. It is so brilliant now, although I can’t quite grasp it in the moment. They say you can learn allot from the youth. This is true and I believe it. But they don’t say what you learn; that’s the tricky part. Do you learn about life with a cynics view, or -by sometimes turning a blind eye- hope for the future? If you learn about yourself from youth, are you learning about your flaws, who you think you are, or who you want to be? You would think that these choices are yours to make, but they are not. They are the choices of the youth you surround yourself with, and they don’t even know it. They don’t even realize that they are the future yet, and that’s ok. They will understand one day, we all will.

Shaking in my...

I was scared to climb. Scared of the pain it would bring, scared of the feeling I get around a rope. Scared of being scared. The first ten feet were fine. The next twenty were even easier. And eighty feet above the ground never felt so good. My feet didn’t hurt as bad as I had anticipated, and I truly felt free. It was fun, and I want to climb more. Thank you for second chances… and taking them.

Bold West

We picked up the group in Vegas. It was hot. Its going to be an interesting summer.

Eleven houndred miles is too far inside a car

The drive was long, and I was alone, which made it even longer. Driving alone is a special time that, just like drinking, should not be done when you are in the wrong frame of mind. In fact I was in the perfect frame of mind for this drive; I had my music, and my recent adventures in Colorado to reflect on… not to mention the beautiful scenery of interstate 70. I made the best of 1036 miles of highway, arriving at 2:00 am, the evening stars becoming a blur. I was home, whatever that meant, even if it was only for a day.

To be or not tubing

We were making a mockery of them and their contest without even trying. They, with their thousand dollar carbon fiber kayaks. Us, with our four-ninety-nine inflatable pool toys; highly personalized with names on them like, “the purple people eater” and “the sea monkey.” They moved threw the water as if it was their business. We floundered and flailed, throwing caution to the wind. They scowled while we smiled. If there was a contest for who had the most fun… well there would have been no contest at all.