thyme

we have all been there, at some point, thinking about where the time has gone. it seems, in the blink of an eye, time simply vanishes into memory. it has been nearly three months since is have even opened up this page to share. three months in the blink of an eye. and not only the last three months, but those prior! i mean, i had the intentions of finishing the story of the CANADIAN adventure, beginning a mostly true and unembellished tale of hiking for the better part of six months (that i started now over a year ago!) but that anniversary came and went. so now, exactly a month removed from that one year anniversary of staring at the MEXICAN border wondering what i was getting myself into, im finally looking back at and trying to explain myself for what has been happening lately. im not making excuses for my lack of sharing, or maybe i am, but what i am saying for certain is that life moves fast at times, and sometimes it moves slow. but once that time is past, it is gone, and when you look back on that time, it all happened in the blink of an eye. i just hope and strive to that when i do look back on that blink, it is one hell of a blink.

so what has been going on? i mean from a ten thousand foot level, juggling two part time jobs, and volunteering the remainder of my time away would be the short answer. but where is the fun in that? sounds like a pretty comfortable blink (and kinda boring) and im pretty sure this blog post doesnt have a character restriction. 

so the two part times, totally my choice. i put myself in the position and i have a hard time saying 'no'. so i stretch myself a bit from that stand point, but it can be fun. mostly. i really didnt even realize how i was committing and over committing my time. until i looked back on the time and was like 'holy f', not how i was expecting to spend my time in the great PNW. but thats okay, thru a crazy roundabout way ill volunteer my time for the summer and put my valuable time towards something good and meaningful. i just need to pare back the part times and gain some balance so i have a little free time to enjoy all that the PNW has to offer during the 'its not raining every day' season. all easier said than done. and i can delve into what 'volunteering' for the summer means later, or in a different blog post rather. (lot of content to cover)

volunteering also meant moving. moving takes time. lucky for me i dont have much stuff. but still, it takes time. time to set up in a new place. clean, and clean out the old place. organize. find your rhythm. and do it all on a shoe string budget. but now im driving miles to the part time. biking is out of the question. gas and wear and tear on the jeep, sad day. need to find new sources of income. i miss working for myself. even on a really simple level, using words and photos wouldnt be so bad...once again tho, that takes time to set up, and that time just is not there. talk about a personal challenge, trying to get all this life stuff straight while not burning myself out. i dont know if i have ever been busier. but i have accepted that challenge and feel like i am making decisions to regain my balance. push my time management skills to the max, and still be flexible to get out and do something crazy every now and then. like thru hike the enchantment loop in early may, ice axe and all, or climb mt adams, or just kick it with some cool cats around a campfire on memorial day. whatever it is, i am loving life, every busy minute of it. 

and now i am back to sharing it. partly for my own sanity but mostly because i love getting to share my experience with whoever finds themselves reading this. 

more stories to follow. something about a long hike, time spent in the northwoods of MINNESOTA, a tiny house and a farm, mountain summits, and trip thru the enchantment mountains. to hit on a few... 

carry on friends, and blink often. unless youre in a staring contest. then WIN!!!!

me too...

on being interesting

originally i thought this would be an avenue to which i could easily and openly share what is on my mind. but i have found that can be difficult at times when maybe i am uninspired or even uninterested by what i have written and delete the post, leaving the words a simple idea rather than record. even this post has been written, deleted, and written again as i write and then come to a dead end. i think that i as i am sending my thoughts to the internet or telling a story that, when things flow naturally, are the times that i find myself both inspired and interested. i look at the word natural and embolden it. to be natural is an 'organic' act when the words or photos come together and flow, without hesitation or question. to create naturally instead of creating just for the sake of creating, or throwing content at the internet. sharing thoughts. sharing things that inspire. sharing the experience. that is where the interest, inspiration and excitement dwell. create connection thru sharing, a connection that works to inspire all who are connected...i hope you're interested...word. 

crossroads

sometimes there are moments when i feel lost. the path that i am on forks, and not just once but i come to a crossroads with multiple forks and signs. some are clear and well worn, some appear to be new and freshly made, and others are rough and seldom used. i check my tools of navigation but can't seem to get a bearing on my compass, and this crossroads isn't on my map...waves of uncertainty followed by anxiety creep upon me. i do nothing. i stand there, dumb...unable to make a decision, or even formulate an educated guess on which way to go. time begins to speed up as i sand there, all of the possible scenarios playing out over and over in my head. now my inactivity is overwhelming me...make a decision! but i cant...i can hear others approaching me from where i came, so i look preoccupied and busy myself with my useless map. the others pass me by as i appear too busy to be engaged with, and i too proud to ask. the others consult not and speed down different paths, some on the worn and clearly marked, others down the new and then rough paths. none looking back to the crossroads nor returning. i watch as they disappear and their sounds soon vanish as my whirling thoughts creep back and overtake me once again. i look for a sign, for a sense of wisdom on a decision, any decision...

faith. faith in my ability to choose. faith in knowing that any choice i make will be a good one, even though i may trip and fall or reach a dead end and need to retrace some steps before reaching my desired destination. faith to overcome the fear. i calm my thoughts. i make my decision. i charge forward, knowing that no matter my direction, i will come to a destination, my destination, the right destination and that the journey there will be an adventure,  and full of crossroads, many like this one i am leaving behind...

\ˈba-lən(t)s\

a simple definition of balance according to MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S dictionary is as follows:

  • the state of having your weight spread equally so that you do not fall

  • the ability to move or to remain in a position without losing control or falling

  • a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance

i thought i was going to write a well thought out and intellectual post about balance and how i try to achieve balance in my life but as i started to write it just was not a natural topic like i thought it would be. i wrote several paragraphs and did not appreciate what i had written. it didn't deliver what i had wanted it to. so honestly, this is more about my self reflection on balance and obtaining it. adhering to the things and ideas that i believe, being disciplined in areas that i might struggle, being true and real in difficult situations, communicating, being real or genuine to myself and others around me. i find balance when i follow thru on those things. the words and the intentions are easy, it's the action, the follow thru that is a constant challenge. but what is life without a challenge? 

i was going to dissect the definition of the word and break it down by the parts of the meaning, i did and it got super boring instead of being inspirational or insightful. thankfully i can edit my own writing and head myself off before i lose my balance and fall off the cliff into boredom. you're welcome. 

there is a first for everything...

Everything that i have done in life, i have had to do it once for the first time. Wether it was something simple and nearly automatic like walking and talking to something more nerve wracking like asking out my first girlfriend, driving a car, getting a job (or quitting my job)...life is full of firsts. This is my first blog post.

The goal of this blog is to write one post at a time, in no particular time frame (maybe with some foresight on future posts) and write about life and life's experiences. i am no expert at life (honestly who is?) but that doesn't mean i don't want to share with the internet about life.

i think some of the purest and most incredible experiences in life are those that are shared. Chris McCandles said, while traveling alone towards Alaska, that "happiness is only real, when shared." as someone that truly enjoys and is content with being alone, no matter what, sharing the experience is what turns an experience into an adventure. i can go off for days at a time, (there was one time that i left on a trip, alone, and thought i would be alone for weeks at a time, only to discover that it was extremely difficult to achieve that aloneness...we humans are drawn to each other, but that's a story for another blog post - see, future blog foresight) and whenever i come back i always have pictures or stories to share with my friends, family, or anyone with enough patience to listen to me.

so, this blog is an avenue for sharing. everything that i share means something to me and has taught me something about life and life's journey. hopefully, you will enjoy being part of this journey as much as i enjoy living it...

stuff to come...