A different terrain

A few days ago I wrote an article called the illusion of control. There was a lot of conversation amongst my friends regarding that article. For some, it jarred them as they had never really thought about it. For others, it made them defensive as perhaps they imaginedthey had control and realized they did not. For me it made me go into observation mode and listen. I began to recall adminitions my parents often gave me as a child “Be good, be sweet, behave yourself, stay safe, be careful, and always look behind you were just a few mantras that were given to me every time we would part ways. As an adult, i am still hearing the same mantras.

In the “illusion of control”, I discussed those admonitions and the feeling that many of us have that they lead to a certain outcome. I am a world traveler and I enjoy heading to places where few people go. I enjoy climbing to the top of some mountains and have the love of adventure in my blood. I feel empathy for my elderly but vital parents as I know they will worry. They imagine me in harms way. They are more tired than me upon my return. They like all parents want to keep us safe. Before I head off, my mother adds a “please” to her admonition to be safe, “please be safe.” I know that having a discourse with her about safety being out of my control will do no good so I just assure her that i will do my best.

Most of us feel we are safe in our homes and in familiar surroundings. Travel brings uncertainty for many. I actually had a friend to instruct me to come off of the mountain if I felt danger was lurking. I merely looked at her for a moment wondering if she actually thought my brain cells were that small that I would not heed a warning of such incrdible magnitude. We can be safe. We can follow instructions, go slow, wear our seat belt, but misfortune still happens. As a lover of mountain terrain, I understand risk. I am aware that one misstep can have consequences, weather can either make or break a day. I know when to call it a day. I understand the consequences of what I do and the importance of taking precautions. We do the best we can and go out the door and let the world know we are here. To my friends, tell me to have the adventure of a lifetime, tell me to have a great trip, tell me to go get em, but for crying out loud, stop telling me to be safe.

It has always amazed me how much guilt runs our lives. One would ask when an action is motivated by guilt, is it a true action from the heart? When we allow ourselves to be swayed or handled by guilt we are missing the beat of our true heart and the call of our soul. I am here with my team in South America and guilt has even resided here. “Should we post that photo, will it look as if we are having too much fun?” I have even see friends tired beyond belief but drag themselves to work, a party whatever out of fear of offending or feelings of guilt. I wonder where does the love and caring of ourselves come into play. So what if we allow ourselves enjoyment or take a day off from work just because. There seems to be an unspoken rule in our society that liesure equals laziness and if you are not “doing” 24/7 then you are not being a productive member of society. Unfortunately, many fall into this trap. Is it not enough we are bombarded with constant stimulation at every turn? If one allows the mind to shut up for a moment and allow the body its say a different conversation would take place. The body would sleep a little later, eat slower, watch less t.v, take a day off for the hell of it, say no, and revel in every pleasurable experience it encounters. So relax and revel.

Tomorrow is the day I leave Chile and head for Bolivia to climb the 19500 or so Licancabur. The saying here is that this volcano has a mind of its own and has the power to decide who summits its high peak and who does not. Licancabur means mountain of the people. I have been in Chile for approximately one week and everywhere I go, the mountain follows me. It is almost beckoning me. I do not fear the mountain but I will ask it to grant me favor in the climb. No there is not fear but a healthy respect as I know how brutal altitude can be and has been known to disable the most experienced climbers and hikers. I am tired, my legs ache and at times I feel frustration. There are others faster than me and seem to have stamina that is enviable but they too must ask the mountain for mercy. No one can assume.