Desolate Beauty

Walking through this seemingly desolate wasteland it feels like those moments in life when colors dull, fun fades and life just feels hot and dirty.

Feet hurt, skin burns, blisters form and eyes itch.

In these times I can't help but be reminded that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

But it's more than that…

Beauty is in learning to appreciate clean teeth by feeling the grit and crunch of sand in them now.

Finding shade under monumental sundials and their shadows of time.

Looking for beauty in the details-allowing the small and mundane come to life.

Learning to appreciate our ancestors who traversed these lands on foot…

One dry watering hole after another.

You must open more than your eyes to see it all. There is so much more than rock and dust, sand and soil, and reptilian life.

A cactus shows its life with big red blooms. 

Rock and sandstone stand in surrealistic formations. 

A 360-degree art gallery you must work to see.

These structures, not made by the hands of man, stand majestic for miles.

Penstemon sowed and cared for by the elements shows nature's true glory.

When the sun sets and the beauty grows dark—a whole new scene begins.

A string of thoughts thinking about the future.

Maybe the end isn't in sight because you've already reached it?
The future is a fog because it can't be seen by unopened eyes.
Only when you realize you've finished this part of the journey and take a step will you see your next goal...
It takes guts to move forward into the unseen when you are safe in your suffering.
Faith in He who is greater will bring calm to the confusion.
Will you continue on a clear road to nowhere?
Or grab a hold of faith and race into the mist of what could be?

2012 Teva Mountain Games Gibbon Slackline event

This event was a highlight of mine, and few thousand other people... I can't wait to see what these guys and gals throw down in 2013! Check out the post 'Rarity' I wrote about the athletes and all-around great people you encounter at the Teva Mountain Games.

Rarity

You see them every so often...
The people you yearn to be.
What do they have?
Why are they so rare?
They love what they do; and they do what they love.
It shows...
Demeanor, postures, emotions, expressions. They're just different.
When you talk to these rarities they listen.
Not with an ear towards you and eyes towards everything else.
They listen intently, almost intimidatingly.
And to you! A stranger. A common person...
Why?
Because everyone is born fairly common.
Different situations, yes, but rich become poor and vice versa.
So - Why?
Potential - These people know the potential to be a rarity is inside of you.
Waiting to be let out in a fury of passion.
Your true self, your true passion is calling...
The reason these people are so rare?
Because most people are too scared to answer.

This was inspired by the recent Teva Mountain games where these rare breed of people come together in mass to participate in their passions. Once a year I am able to be a part of it and feel, if only just for a weekend, like one of those rare people I yearn to be...
Check out Brianne Janae Photography and Teva Mountain Games FB page for more photos. 

An Ode To Coffee

From the ground the berry bush grows
until they are ready to make your hand unsteady.
Roasting the beans dark as night or light and bright.

The black awakening makes its way up.
Through vessels, veins, capillaries and arteries.
Rocket fuel for the brain
creating a launchpad for the imagination.
Energy flowing like a black waterfall
crashing into the depths of the mind.
Filling the pool of creativity.

For the night owls and morning glory's.
It's a common ground many share.
Rooted in the earth and a strong scent in the air.
So press another shot, brew another pot.
It's time to go...To ship, to move to create and inspire.

Three Ways of Looking Back...

Remember the times…

What a haunting phrase
The past is the past
Only trouble and sorrow lie ahead
A vast expanse of brokenness
emptiness and sadness in a
wasteland of too few memories 
and too many tasks. 
The desert is seemingly endless.

Remember the times!
The wonderful times
Laughing, loving, living.
Thank you Lord for a life
to remember. Beautiful memories
as plentiful as the wild flowers
that the border sign promises.
Colors, imaginations running
wild as they are meant to be.

Remember the times.

Times and events that can

never be replicated. Amazing times.

That is why we remember them 
so fondly and frequently.

Not to say “The good ‘ol days”

but to know so much is in store

for the future. There’s so much

to look forward to…

Skin & Bones

People come in all varieties

shapes, sizes and colors.
Why should we expect everyone
to act the same? To fit in society’s box.
To take away the unique aspects of each
other is to take away everything.
Skin and bones is what we
have in common and without
our other differences that is all we are.
Skin and Bones.