Valley of Fire

The Valley of Fire just outside of Overton, Nevada, is one of my favorite places in the world! We had a chance to explore and enjoy the red rocks and blue sky:

Every time I go there, I'm impressed at the hardiness of the ancient desert dwellers who carved beautiful petroglyphs in the rock. Everything in the desert exudes resilience and patience from the rock formations carved over time to the little plants anchoring themselves on a rocky cliff. All the desert people I know, too, are full of fortitude and see life realistically yet enjoy it nonetheless without feeling the need to be showy. I feel very comfortable and at home in the desert.

Desert beauty isn't for everyone, I understand, but have you experienced anything breathtaking in a desert lately? What does the desert remind you of?

Hidden Canyon Trail

During our recent trip to Zion National Park, we took an adventurous hike along the Hidden Canyon trail:

It was challenging in the beginning, but the views and adventures were totally worth it! We ended up holding onto chains bolted in the sides of cliffs, hopping over natural cisterns carved into the rock, scrambling and bouldering over obstacles, and taking a peaceful stroll through a shady slot canyon!

I love it when hard work pays off like that! After I successfully complete something challenging, I usually end up thinking about how many people in the whole existence of the world have done the exact thing I just accomplished. It makes me feel awesome knowing that I'm maybe one in only thousands of people in the whole world who have shared that experience. It's both humbling and empowering.

Have you had experiences that are both humbling and empowering? Or what do you do to maintain a fresh perspective?

Canyon Overlook Trail

We recently took a trip to southern Utah with friends, and one of my favorite adventures we had was hiking along the Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion National Park:

The hike is pretty easy, and the views are beyond amazing! I love how refreshing a new perspective is. Also, there's no rush quite like looking over the edge of a precipice, don't you think? This adventure was so good for my soul and I wish I could just bottle up the vastness and majesty and somehow fit it all inside my heart forever.

Have you ever been to Zion National Park? What was your impression? Do you have a favorite adventure or spot that is special to you?

Thursday Thought for Tuesday: Share the Wonder

//Wonder// 
We are surrounded by incredible, wondrous places, creatures, and people. Beauty can be found in the most deserted places, life lessons can be learned from the smallest of creatures, and goodness can be found in anyone if it is sought out. Life is nothing short of fascinating! And yet, from personal experience, most people I know appear seemingly unimpressed once they encounter something amazing. I've found though, that it usually isn't because they aren't willing to be amazed, it's more that they just haven't trained themselves to look for opportunities that could enlarge their perspectives. In most cases I've witnessed, that sense of wonder isn't completely gone, it just needs to be coaxed out from under the shadow of grownup ideals. It takes a little practice, but with time, one's dormant sense of wonder can become the primary filter through which one perceives the world. It is a matter of truly seeing instead of simply looking.

//Why is the magic lost?//
Children are inherently filled with wonder at the world and at their personal discoveries, but it's easy to see why it doesn't last forever. There are so many reasons why that magical perspective vanishes beneath the shadow of adulthood.

Perhaps a lack of focus contributes to the shift. As we grow up and gain experiences and gain an understanding of the sometimes cruel mechanics of the social systems we've built, instead of learning how the world works (which is what we imagine that transition to mean), we really lose sight of how the actual world works. Our days become focused on schedules and to-dos, business and chaos, chatter and white noise. It can be difficult to focus and recognize those little wonder moments because they are so quiet and unobtrusive compared to the attention-demanding voice of busyness.

While it might not appear to be selfish on the surface, living in such a manner is not true to the wonder contained in us and in the small moments. I've often noticed that selfish people cannot appreciate the wondrous moments with the  same intensity and perspective-altering consequences. Allowing wonder to seep into one's soul inevitably results in a broadening of perspectives, a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of all things, and a deeper understanding and empathetic approach to future encounters with other living beings and places. A selfish person refuses to see beyond their own needs and challenges and cannot comprehend the degree to which other situations may apply to them. A selfish person rarely sees broadly with an empathetical filter.

Another contributing factor to the lack of wonder that plagues us today is the easy access to visually beautiful things. Social media platforms continue to evolve toward more visual representation and less literary explanation, and the overexposure to breathtaking photos has caused wondrous moments to become commonplace. Incredible experiences become blase and easily forgettable among the endless amounts of equally-impressive visual stimulation. In some cases, not only are these wondrous moments reduced to run-of-the-mill scroll feed, instead of being viewed with awe, many are viewed through a cynical lens, with critical or disbelieving undercurrents.

I'm reminded of the park scene from Good Will Hunting, where after a laborious struggle to understand Will's reprehensible behavior despite being a genius, his therapist has an epiphany: Will might think he knows what he knows from reading and his astounding intelligence, but he doesn't really know know. While able to give the textbook answers to nearly any question asked of him, he wouldn't be able to describe his personal experiences relating to the questions. He hadn't actually experienced those experiences, so although he could know about them, he couldn't actually truly know the magnitude of what they meant. Believing that one has actually experienced something solely from seeing it in a photo or reading about it is an easy jump for many people to make. The trouble is, though, that it is simply untrue, yet it probably happens to us more than we realize.

//What are the benefits of seeing through eyes of wonder?//
A common benefit of seeing with wonder is an increased attention to detail. I've usually seen it progress from a casual acknowledgement when something amazing is encountered to an intentional seeking-out of wonders. Once someone can see the world with wonder, the smallest details become amazing! The gentle life of a butterfly, the curvature of a tree trunk, the magnitude of space can all in turn induce a gasp and drastically alter one's perspective. Not only does one grow to appreciate surrounding details, one easily transitions to appreciating and more deeply understanding the details of which she or he is comprised. Noticing details more often than not results in seeing with an eye of beauty. Beauty can be found in some of the most unexpected places!

When one can learn to appreciate the details of any given situation or creature (including oneself), the focus changes from selfishness to a vibrant awareness, which often converts to love. Seeing with love leads to being more empathetic, understanding, patient, and kind. I think we could all use as much as those things as we can possibly get!

One of the most evident consequences of seeing with wonder is the personal knowledge gained. Not only does one learn more about other living creatures' amazing details and natural cycles, but the lessons learned from nature easily educate us about our position in relation to all things. Metaphors can be drawn from the simplest events, and that expanding perspective often leads to additional eye-opening experiences. When learning is sought after, it is often found and grows exponentially.

Also, putting oneself in a position that hopefully allows for unforgettable moments to be more readily available usually means that those moments of awe will be more appreciated when they happen. I've noticed that unforgettable moments which strike me with wonder always become a part of who I am. They ultimately alter my perspective in a good way. They open up my view to all things while simultaneously encouraging self-reflection. They shape who I am becoming, they lead to change, and they become a part of my being. If nothing else, that is why seeing with wonder is something I strive to achieve.

//How does one see wonder?//
First, it must be sought out because it cannot be borrowed or temporarily transferred to another person. It is something that each person must pursue individually. Wondrous moments can occasionally occur once in a while to anyone, but people who seek out situations that favor unforgettable experiences usually find such moments.

Seeing as a young child perceives the world is so helpful! If it's difficult to remember what that was like, taking a child on an adventure and paying strict attention to their reactions and curiosity can help open the windows of recollection a bit.

Being excited for additional knowledge and having a fascination for learning both help, too.

Sharing moments of wonder with others can encourage that wonder to grow as well. Not only recounting wondrous experiences to other people, but teaching others how to see with awe or actually experiencing those breathtaking moments together can perpetuate more wonder as well as strengthening relationships.



Those are some thoughts that have been tumbling in my brain for a bit. It is incredibly important to remember the wonder and share it with others. So, I'm curious to know: how to you see with eyes of wonder or how do you share it with others?

So Grateful Today

Grateful today for family who got home safely from holiday travels, for a new Christmas-eve addition to the bitty cousin line-up, for cozy warm homes in the bleak midwinter, for toddlers who know how to sing "In the Bleak Midwinter," and for Christmas giftcards to Appleby's (because who wants to cook the week after Christmas, anyways?!)

What are you grateful for today?

Gratitude vs. Thanks

I love this time of year! I love that people focus on gratitude and the most meaningful aspects of their lives. I love the positive vibes, especially around Thanksgiving in the US. It's a time for us to gather with our families and pay special attention to the blessings we have received throughout the year.

I don't know about you, but I have been blessed with so much! I came from a (relatively) sane background with parents who wanted the best for me. They made sure I had a good education and encouraged me in my pursuits. I have a nutty family that I love so much (and who love me back!) anyway. I have kind and intelligent friends who are spiritual giants. I have an amazing relationship with my Dreamguy. I have a smart and cheerful daughter. I have a comfortable and adventurous life and have had many opportunities I wouldn't have dreamed would have been afforded me. I have chances to reconnect with nature on the regular, and have been to some incredible places in this huge world. I have truly been blessed.

In the spirit of the season, I've been sharing a #monthofgratitude post every day this month on Instagram. I've pondered on the many things I have in my life to be thankful for, and I've realized that there is a definite difference between gratitude and thanks. I wish Thanksgiving were called Gratitudegiving because I think it would be taken more seriously with more intention. Gratitude is more like an attitude or way of living, and thanks is a reaction.

Don't get me wrong, thanks is wonderful, but it is giving thanks that begets gratitude, the more deep-rooted and wise mother of the two. Thanks is shown through words. Gratitude is shown through actions. Gratitude requires an added measure of maturity and an extra step. It requires a follow up and a reciprocation of your thanks.

So, I'd like to invite you to join in this tradition of gratitudegiving. It's never too late to start showing gratitude, and if you start now (if you don't already have such a tradition), your mind will be in a thoughtful and open place come Thanksgiving Day. Warning, though: once you start counting your blessings, it's hard to stop!

What have you done lately to express your thanks and act on your gratitude?

Thursday Thought: On Intentional Living

There is so much potential running through the human race, wouldn't you say? Guys, we can't even help it, because it's in our blood. We are made of the same greatness that causes the rivers to run deep and the mountains to rise high. It pretty much lights a fire in my soul just thinking about it!

I feel this incredible connection to the earth and other living things. I marvel at what other species are capable of or have overcome, and it serves as a reminder that we are dang incredible too! People were made to do amazing things, but we don't always live up to our potential for so many different reasons.

From what I've experienced, one way of understanding and tapping into that potential is through intentional living, and here are a few things I've applied to my little self that remind me of the possibilities:

| Appreciate Living Things | I have to spend some time outside every day or, as I've discovered, I get grumpy. I need to feel the world under my feet on a mountain trail or sift through the dirt in my vegetable garden, or show some TLC to my flowerbeds. It puts me in my place in relationship to other creatures, and I often discover reminders of the relatively fragile state of living in this big wide universe. Understanding mortality and that lovely circle of life puts things into perspective for me and encourages me to do my best in this little life I can offer to the world. Likewise, when working with the earth, I also find examples of hardiness and survival that are just as inspiring. People are amazing! We can do hard things. I mean, really really hard things. I try to not be intimidated because it seems like the bar has been set pretty high. Appreciating the life I have been given, seeing myself with an eternal perspective, and understanding my role in relationship to other beings is something I've found essential in living my life with real intention.

| Reevaluate Traditions | I don't know about you, but our family has some pretty silly traditions. Some have deep roots that have been passed down for generations, and some are just little seedlings that we're experimenting with. From how I see it, the purpose of a tradition is to act as a reminder of and important event, feeling, or person. Not all traditions need to be serious, but we constantly reevaluate them to make sure there is a higher purpose or meaning behind them. If not, we adjust so that it can be a meaningful metaphor or ritual.

| Find the Potential in Others | There's nothing quite like seeing what other people can do to make me feel inspired! I love seeing others overcome obstacles or achieve awesomeness through hard work. I find that when I let others know how much greatness I see in them, I feel the greatness growing inside of me too. Sometimes this means giving someone a boost of confidence or a shot of courage right in the butt to get them moving on the path you see them on in the future. Goethe said, "If you treat an individual as (s)he is, (s)he will remain how (s)he is. But if you treat him(her) as if (s)he were what (s)he ought to be and could be, (s)he will become what (s)he ought to be and could be." True dat, Goethe, my man.

| Live a Simple Life | Guys. There is so much darn distraction in this crazy modern world. I try and keep my life simple as in I don't go places that I know will make me feel dissatisfied with what I already have (like the mall). I frequent places that uplift and help me be a better person (like the library). I keep my tech to a minimum (confession: I've only had texting for 6 months!) and don't allow myself to feel obligated to follow the newest trends even though I can appreciate them. I regularly get rid of things I don't need or use to keep clutter from accruing. I grow and preserve my own food. I make things by hand. I go hiking. I love camping! (So shoot me if you must.) I spend lots of time with our nutty family. These are all good things. I realize that any one of these things could make me seem super uncool, but I have no apologies because I feel like these things help me have a purposeful life. Each person has a different definition for simple living. The key is to find what is distracting you right now and a way to simplify it. Increase or adjust simple living practices as needed.

| Savor |  This goes back to appreciating living things but is more general. Savoring a moment doesn't mean it has to be a super happy experience to appreciate its value. There is deep value in all kinds of experiences, especially if it turns out to be of the learning variety. A common practice I do is to visualize (even though it's cheesy and reminds me of exercises I did in elementary school.) Close your eyes and memorize what the air feels like. What temperature is it? Is there a breeze? What sounds do you hear? What olfactory goodness is wafting your way? Who are you with? What other tactile treasures did you not realize you were experiencing? What is truly important for your life in this moment? How can you ensure it remains important? Then open your eyes and soak it all in!

I'm not claiming to be a hardcore minimalist, and I understand that each person has slightly different needs. Taking the time to really think about why and how you are living, though, can be life-changing. So, yeah. This is what I've been thinking lately, and I'd love to hear any other thoughts on the subject. Please share!

Thursday Thought: on Gratitude

I believe that gratitude can bring out the best in people, and instead of sharing my philosophies on gratitude, I thought I'd share some of the thoughts that I've been ruminating on today:

Dear little seeds, I'm so thankful you're growing! Your happy faces peeking through the dirt made our morning a lot better. You have given me a great opportunity to teach my daughter about hope and patience and growth and how those three things often work together. Keep it up, little hope warriors.

Dear daughter, thank you for all of your eager help today! We got so much done today and I love it when you help me with all the goodness of your golden heart. You are so full of love. Thank you for letting me hold your two-year-old hand and getting to know your old soul better. Doesn't it feel like we've known each other for eons?

Dear dreamguy, it's been an arduous week for both of us, and I'm so thankful that when we both got home from work kind of late today to a cluttered kitchen and a stinky garbage can and an overgrown yard that you ordered a pizza without even asking. Because heaven knows I was too dang tired to even throw a salad together. Pizza never tasted so good and you are so hot right now!

Dear garden, thank you for helping me find my center today. Digging around in the dirt and chucking those durn weeds in the trash is so therapeutic. Boy am I glad we can start spending more time together, old friend.

Dear mountain mother, thank you for the lessons you've taught me this week. Thank you for opening my heart to your wisdom and for teaching me about the nature of fear. That lesson is still at the forefront of my mind, and I'm eager to learn what more you have to teach me on the subject.

Dear little bro, thank you for our lunch date today. It was soooo delicious, but the best part was hearing about your progress in following your dreams. You are an excellent example of keeping up hope and patience and growth. You're on your way to becoming a mighty Sycamore, buddy, and I love being witness to that.

What have you been grateful for as of late? I'd love to hear!

Thursday Thought: On Fear

Before I begin my tale, here's a little back story for you:

I go hiking several times a week. I'm not super hardcore or particularly good at it, but I love it and feel lonely and out of sorts if I haven't hit the trails at least every other day. It's something I do to reconnect with myself and my mountain mother, refocus my thoughts, appreciate the small things, and practice respect for life, no matter how small (or creepy) it seems.

I've gone by myself regularly or with others for a few years, but starting in January, a couple beautiful souls have regularly joined me on my expeditions. These adventures have now become our adventures, and I have learned many things from my hiking buddies. I believe that people are in my life for a reason and that I can learn something new from every soul.

With a back story like that, this tale of course, begins with a hike:

This week we were feeling particularly adventurous and took a detour from the main trail and followed a path (probably a deer path) leading along the base of some cliffs. It wasn't death-defying by any means, but it required complete attention to the trail and our surroundings. The path inclined along its merry way up a rock every now and then and the trail narrowed on some slopes, but I was in no danger (except for maybe slipping a few feet and landing on my bum or getting tangled in some scrub oak).

There were signs that people had been on the trail before. Someone had gently hung a pine cone on a outreaching branch. You know, the kind you cover with peanut butter and seeds to share with birds. Someone had erected a makeshift monument and hung wildflowers from it. We had observed the swallows dancing unpredictably and swooping from these cliffs on our way up to this point, and I could watch them command the air for hours. Despite the encouragement I should have felt from these signs along with the reassuring words from my buddies, I still started to feel the fear build in my heart.

I became distracted from our goal, which was to discover new paths and follow the trail around or up the cliffs somehow. I was distracted by my shoes, which weren't the sturdiest for the terrain we were gallivanting over. I was distracted by the things I was carrying because my pants pockets were too small and my hands were occupied with hanging onto objects rather than steadying my footing. I was distracted by what I was munching on. I was distracted by my companions and started to worry for them. I was even distracted by the beautiful signs I had previously been appreciating (Was that monument a cross because someone died in this spot? Are those swallows trying to knock me off-balance by their dive bombing? This is not why I go to the mountains!). All of these thoughts started to fill my heart as I made my way more slowly up the trail.

The terrain became rougher. We had not been on this trail before and didn't know where (or if) it would connect to better-known trails. I was carefully weighing if we were reaching a point where it would be difficult or dangerous to retrace our steps, and luckily I wasn't alone. We communicated with one another and several times paused to discuss the practicality of continuing. After stopping for the third or fourth time, we realized an ultimate decision had to be made. We could continue along the unknown path but we were running out of time to explore. We could turn around and make our way down to guaranteed safety. Or, we could iron-woman it up some rocks to the top of the cliff, which we knew connected to a frequented trail but couldn't see because we were so close to it. You know, the forest for the trees and all that stuff.

I took careful inventory of my fears and realized that I could change what was distracting me for starters. I finished the snack I was munching on (ah, the focus was already coming back!), I shifted the things I was carrying so that I could use my hands better (efficiency, people), and I found my footing on solid rock (it had been there all along). I took a deep breath and we started to scramble up the rocks to the top of the cliff. And just like that, we were standing at the top.

It wasn't difficult at all. It had only appeared to be intimidating. My fears had partially ignited from the distractions I had placed on myself. (I totally had better shoes in my car and had just chosen not to wear them. Dumb.) The main portion of my fears were only because this trail had been unknown. Guys. The trail wasn't more than five feet from where we pulled ourselves up the cliff. And the view was amazing! As soon as I reached the top and could turn around my mind was blown with what I had just accomplished!

I soaked up the breeze and the warm sun rays and marveled at the magnitude of this crazy world. It's like a window the size of the mountain opened up and let in the most precious light and cast out all the doubtful shadows I had been trying to push down. My fears were instantly replaced with a bravery and pride that I haven't felt so strongly before. I realized that I had been afraid of nothing more than the unknown, which it isn't anymore.

We hiked down the trail in the highest of spirits, enjoying those spirited swallows swooping joyously around our heads and feeling so rejuvenated by what we had accomplished and excited to share this experience with others. On the way down I pondered on the metaphors found in the experience. I considered the parallel this was to my life journey, especially regarding decisions I've made recently. I considered the negative influence of distractions. I considered the purpose of friends. I considered the importance of having a solid footing and looking beyond what is see-able. I considered the nature of fear. I considered the nature of courage. I pondered the pride I felt standing among the swallows that had appeared to high and unreachable when we first started our journey but that we had risen to join. I learned a lot about my relationship with fear and am making some changes. I have found a fiery focus again that I realized I had become distracted from. Experiences like this is why I go to the mountains.

There are many refocusing rituals I use, but my most used (and usually the most effective for me) is to take a stroll through my mountains. They are sacred to me. Some people I love need the sea just like I need the mountains, some need a favorite furry friend, or some need personal rituals to bring purpose and focus to this beautiful thing called life. I'd love to hear what you do to recharge or encourage self-discovery. What are your mountains?