Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
*Sigh*
Outside beckons like mother to child. An internal tug of war
ensues between responsibility of man-made importance and the call of a calm
breeze, green grass and waving branches. Nature’s beckoning once again and it’s
only morning…6 more hours to go.
Come rest your eyes and relax like when you were young! No
time…too busy. How fast we move through our short existence only to get to the
end and wish we’d have slowed down. How hard we strive to live a life doing
what is needed not giving a second thought to the real meaning of life passing
us by.
Memories that should have been, never came to be because of
the demands of your industry. So many sacrificing life for so few in hopes for
what? Recognition from those that matter least!
What can we learn from a longing gaze? We learn that your
place is elsewhere…
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tough times...
It's easy to ask, "Why did this happen?" or worse "Why does this keep happening?".
It's easy to get mad. Blame others, blame God maybe. Whether it's a big tragedy or a ton of little problems that add up and hit you like 12 gauge buckshot often times the easiest thing to do is play the victim and point fingers when maybe what we should be doing is learning about ourselves and looking internally.
Have you ever learned anything about yourself on a perfectly sunny day? For me these days are blue-bird ski days, with no traffic or lift lines - usually found in Aspen-Snowmass (shh, don't tell). Awesome Saturdays with my wife riding bikes around to breweries in Fort Collins, or going home for holidays and not worrying about anything, literally, you can sit on the couch and read, fully focused on turning pages not really caring about anything else. Nope, I have never learned anything about myself on those days...except maybe that I like them a lot and wish there were more days like that.
The truth is we need tough times, dark times, rough times, to shape us into who we are. Whether it's losing friends, marriage problems, money problems, job issues or just being stuck out in the woods without a compass these things cause us learn what's below the surface of ourselves. Sometimes that makes those tough times even harder to deal with because we don't like what comes out. To be honest, I wouldn't change anything about the worst times in my life because of how much stronger and wiser I am today because of it.
There's this book called The Journey of Desire written by a Christian climber from Boulder, CO that opened my eyes to a new thought. Basically this whole life is shaping us for who we're meant to be in the eternal lives ahead of us. We're these rough blocks of wood being shaped by the gritty sandpaper of the world. Question is are you going to just let yourself get all scratched up, scarred and haggard or are you going to learn from these tough times and be shaped into who you were meant to be - something incredibly unique and beautiful.
It's easy to get mad. Blame others, blame God maybe. Whether it's a big tragedy or a ton of little problems that add up and hit you like 12 gauge buckshot often times the easiest thing to do is play the victim and point fingers when maybe what we should be doing is learning about ourselves and looking internally.
Have you ever learned anything about yourself on a perfectly sunny day? For me these days are blue-bird ski days, with no traffic or lift lines - usually found in Aspen-Snowmass (shh, don't tell). Awesome Saturdays with my wife riding bikes around to breweries in Fort Collins, or going home for holidays and not worrying about anything, literally, you can sit on the couch and read, fully focused on turning pages not really caring about anything else. Nope, I have never learned anything about myself on those days...except maybe that I like them a lot and wish there were more days like that.
The truth is we need tough times, dark times, rough times, to shape us into who we are. Whether it's losing friends, marriage problems, money problems, job issues or just being stuck out in the woods without a compass these things cause us learn what's below the surface of ourselves. Sometimes that makes those tough times even harder to deal with because we don't like what comes out. To be honest, I wouldn't change anything about the worst times in my life because of how much stronger and wiser I am today because of it.
There's this book called The Journey of Desire written by a Christian climber from Boulder, CO that opened my eyes to a new thought. Basically this whole life is shaping us for who we're meant to be in the eternal lives ahead of us. We're these rough blocks of wood being shaped by the gritty sandpaper of the world. Question is are you going to just let yourself get all scratched up, scarred and haggard or are you going to learn from these tough times and be shaped into who you were meant to be - something incredibly unique and beautiful.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Cross Fit was actually fun!
Workout today was awesome. Usually I tear
major muscles and it takes a week to recover, or really a week to walk
right again leaving one conclusion - cross fit sucks. Or so I thought,
this workout may have changed my mind because I feel amazing.
Warm up:
- Run the hill outside 3x
- Walking lunge up the hill once
- Back inside, 5 sit-ups, push ups and air squats
Partner Workout - Fair teams, each team has to have each person do this:
- Run to the corner of Cascade and 34 (250 yds one-way) with 30 - 45 lb weight
- Back inside: 3 rounds, 10 hand release push-ups, 10 weighted situps (use same weight db for each team), and 10 jumping air squats.
- Run to the corner of Cascade and 34 again with same weight.
Time is the total team time for all athletes to complete. Our time was 11 min.
Topped it off with a nice helping of squats.
6 rounds
As many squats as possible in 20 seconds
Rest for 10 seconds in full squat position
Averaged 13 squats per round
Warm up:
- Run the hill outside 3x
- Walking lunge up the hill once
- Back inside, 5 sit-ups, push ups and air squats
Partner Workout - Fair teams, each team has to have each person do this:
- Run to the corner of Cascade and 34 (250 yds one-way) with 30 - 45 lb weight
- Back inside: 3 rounds, 10 hand release push-ups, 10 weighted situps (use same weight db for each team), and 10 jumping air squats.
- Run to the corner of Cascade and 34 again with same weight.
Time is the total team time for all athletes to complete. Our time was 11 min.
Topped it off with a nice helping of squats.
6 rounds
As many squats as possible in 20 seconds
Rest for 10 seconds in full squat position
Averaged 13 squats per round
Of course this was also "fun" as well...
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| Nothing safer than Vail on a powder day. |
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Inspiration.
Inspire others and you'll inspire yourself...But I wish inspiration came in a can, or there was a recipe, a quick, easy solution and it tasted like ice cream. I guess that's the society we live in, everything that's worth it should be simple and incredibly rewarding with little or no work, and be really fattening. I'm picturing Dwight Schrute saying, "False, hard work is the only way to good beets." The thing is I love working hard, especially for things I love (or good beets). Why is it so hard to get motivated to do the things I love? (side note: Is it just me that
feels like 99% of life is in the gray area and never black and white?) I feel like I've wired myself to generate as many excuses as it takes in order to stifle and kill any motivation I get for getting out and climbing, riding, skiing or just doing things that I know I love doing! I'll watch a bike movie and get to where my helmet is and quickly find myself watching mindless tv. I'll watch ski movies all week and when the weekend comes, "Meh, there's still not enough snow to make the drive worth it." Goodness sakes I live 15 min. from some of the nation's best bouldering, I've been twice this year. I don't get it, so I'm psychologically evaluating myself and writing
this in order to maybe find an answer that will get me off this couch
back to living the good life God intended us to live.
So how does inspiration spark motivation?
Inspiration: The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something
creative: "flashes of inspiration".
Motivation: The general desire or willingness of someone to do something.
I guess I see inspiration as a flint and steel for the fire of motivation. To continue with the poor metaphor it seems like I can never find the flint or somebody just doused my would-be fire. I think inspiration has to match up with your motivation as well. Seeing an amazing photo of a mountain biker has not worked to get me out riding! It works to get my wife excited about taking photos. But only wrapping your hands around the grips and turning the cranks can actually inspire me to keep doing what I love.
I can blame youtube, vimeo, twitter, facebook and all the typical time leeches but I think it's more than that. Or maybe not, maybe a good test would be to drop those things for 30 days and see what happens. Yes, that's it! Living in the marketing world I'm all about a/b testing so my A was trying to get out and get motivated using things like the above mentioned social networks. B will be the next 30 days of social network and couch abstinence (ok, maybe not completely off the social because of work, just not at home) I will find my inspiration in pushing further doing the things I love instead of watching people do the things I love.
So how does inspiration spark motivation?
Inspiration: The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something
creative: "flashes of inspiration".
Motivation: The general desire or willingness of someone to do something.
I guess I see inspiration as a flint and steel for the fire of motivation. To continue with the poor metaphor it seems like I can never find the flint or somebody just doused my would-be fire. I think inspiration has to match up with your motivation as well. Seeing an amazing photo of a mountain biker has not worked to get me out riding! It works to get my wife excited about taking photos. But only wrapping your hands around the grips and turning the cranks can actually inspire me to keep doing what I love.
I can blame youtube, vimeo, twitter, facebook and all the typical time leeches but I think it's more than that. Or maybe not, maybe a good test would be to drop those things for 30 days and see what happens. Yes, that's it! Living in the marketing world I'm all about a/b testing so my A was trying to get out and get motivated using things like the above mentioned social networks. B will be the next 30 days of social network and couch abstinence (ok, maybe not completely off the social because of work, just not at home) I will find my inspiration in pushing further doing the things I love instead of watching people do the things I love.
Day 1 Starts Tomorrow.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Consuming is not the route.
Maybe it's Christmas, maybe it's the fact that I have the wife every man dreams of. "Babe, if you want it, get it!" is something I do hear when perusing backcountry.com's Dynafit selection or wandering around Outpost Sunsport trying to find a reason I need a new jacket. Or she just gets whatever it is for me as a love gift. Skis, road bike, Smith helmet, hoodies, pants, GoPro to mention a few.
So with that said, I've got everything I need to be satisfied for a long time! I've got the tools, if you will, to seek the authenticity found outdoors. But last night I found myself "needing" so many items on Backcountry.com. Garmin Forerunner heart rate monitor plus altimeter, awesome for training and tracking altitude gain (are you kidding me, I've only been to the mountains a handful of times this season) but this is something I need?! A lighter ski setup from my first post (that's ridiculous I haven't even put many miles on my setup right now). New goggles, base layers, there's a great sale on snowboard boots, I might try snowboarding someday...right?
The danger for me is feeling like I'm part of something just because I have the gear to do it, whether it be rock climbing gear, ski stuff, dirt bike or mountain and road bikes, by having these things around me I feel like I'm a part of these sports. I feel like a climber, skier, and a rider... Add to the mix an endless amount of youtube, vimeo and dvd consumption and in my mind I'm a pro! The other problem is my best friends have moved away, specifically Andrew, and he was the one to not only push me and plan awesome trips, but he also taught me everything
So here's the point. In 2012 I'm challenging myself to start "needing" the adventure all these things provide in place of the next product that is going to refresh my faux connection to the adventure itself. No more buying, only planning, doing and living. I even have my own professional photographer so there's really no excuses!
Merry Christmas and an adventurous New Year...
So with that said, I've got everything I need to be satisfied for a long time! I've got the tools, if you will, to seek the authenticity found outdoors. But last night I found myself "needing" so many items on Backcountry.com. Garmin Forerunner heart rate monitor plus altimeter, awesome for training and tracking altitude gain (are you kidding me, I've only been to the mountains a handful of times this season) but this is something I need?! A lighter ski setup from my first post (that's ridiculous I haven't even put many miles on my setup right now). New goggles, base layers, there's a great sale on snowboard boots, I might try snowboarding someday...right?
The danger for me is feeling like I'm part of something just because I have the gear to do it, whether it be rock climbing gear, ski stuff, dirt bike or mountain and road bikes, by having these things around me I feel like I'm a part of these sports. I feel like a climber, skier, and a rider... Add to the mix an endless amount of youtube, vimeo and dvd consumption and in my mind I'm a pro! The other problem is my best friends have moved away, specifically Andrew, and he was the one to not only push me and plan awesome trips, but he also taught me everything
So here's the point. In 2012 I'm challenging myself to start "needing" the adventure all these things provide in place of the next product that is going to refresh my faux connection to the adventure itself. No more buying, only planning, doing and living. I even have my own professional photographer so there's really no excuses!
Merry Christmas and an adventurous New Year...
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-20
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
True gratification...that's the good stuff.
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| Photo by Brianne Janae Photography |
It's a funny feeling being away from it all…one would presume a lot of thinking and/or pondering would happen in the silence of the winter woods but in fact it's quite the opposite. Your mind begins to match the blank white color of the ground that tends to be in style this time of year. Soon something starts to fill that space in your mind, something you can't recognize in the busyness of everyday life. It's joy, freedom, authenticity…
It's out here we relearn what these things mean, at the same time realizing how unfree our 40 hr. work week is. Ever seen a stop light at the intersection of two trails on your commute to happiness? I shudder to think.
Contrary to what the media has you believing, true gratification isn't of the instant variety. Although adjectives like quick, fast and easy precede just about everything these days leading people to believe that if something isn't one or all of these it's just not worth it.
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It's this accomplishment and authenticity that has you planning your next adventure only a couple hours after all you wanted was to be back at the trailhead with a beer and large amounts of chocolate in hand. You realize it on the way home, whether through the perma-grin on your windburned face, the stories of stoke, the fatigued muscles...true gratification just sunk in and there's just no way you can ever go back to that instant crap again. Even if it does come in strawberry cream flavor.
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