I feel…like I’ve been getting away from my purpose in this blog. I still write and think and talk about climbing all the time, but doing something about climbing The Optimist seems very far away.
My point in starting the blog in the first place was to write about climbing in the context of training for this climb. Ironically, the more I climb, especially in new places, the less compelled I feel to do this route, since there is so many beautiful, doable lines out there. Besides, if I finished it, what would I do then? Become a sponsored climber? Quit climbing? Once I complete such a grandiose goal, it sends me into outer space. I feel lost and float without purpose. This is why I don’t like finishing things, it leaves a hole in my life I’m not sure how to fill. I know, realizing this is the first step to dealing with it, but if ya’ll have advice as to how I can start finishing more of my work (written pieces especially) send it along – what do you do to finish things?
However, this blog is accomplishing a lot for me and my climbing. I climb a lot. I give voice to my obsession, accept it as a part of my life, a necessary balance, and use climbing analogies to process the rest of life. Sometimes you get shortroped, sometimes you have great days you live off of for the next week.
On a completely different note, I leave for
2 comments:
Hello--
I didn't see an email address on the blog page so I thought I'd just write you a quick note here...
Thanks for stopping to talk the other morning, it's always interesting to hear what's on the mind of a fellow seeker. I've read a little of your recent blog-- I can't say I know much about climbing, but I do know about obsession and learning through activity. It is a similar process no matter what the activity actually is. I wish you all the best in your adventure and engagement with change and discomfort. Change and movement are good ways to stay awake in life, but don't be afraid to stop when it's time. There is also a lot to be gained from being still, investing in where you are and watching your world move around you.
Good luck,
Dave
davidiandavis@gmail.com
“I feel…like I’ve been getting away from my purpose in this blog.”
“Ironically, the more I climb, especially in new places, the less compelled I feel to do this”
“it leaves a hole in my life I’m not sure how to fill”
^^^
Is this blog about self-exploration, or is it simply descriptive? Is it for you, or for us?
Your climbing takes you places, right? What if your climbing/writing takes you some place that you don’t plan for? Truly, if your practices take you on a path that you have expected/wanted/planned for a long time, then they can’t be truly transforming you at all, can they? Wouldn’t an adventurous life, by its nature, create an Anchen that you could never have foreseen?
^^^^^^^
“but if ya’ll have advice as to how I can start finishing more of my work (written pieces especially) send it along – what do you do to finish things?”
^^^
A Daoist would say that the best way to finish things is to never really start them. If you never begin any projects, then you’ll have no projects left undone! That is, why not just do what you’re doing without HAVING to do something in particular? That way you can never fail. Just relax.
Why is failure so attractive and desirable these days? Just don’t crave after something, and you won’t care if you don’t get it. You’ll simply have what you have, and be happy; since it’s what you wanted anyway. Failing to fail, as it were. :o)
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“I give voice to my obsession, accept it as a part of my life, …a necessary balance”
^^^
Ummm, again, how is obsession supposed to be balanced? If it were balanced, then it would no longer be “obsession,” right? Just passion & contentment. Attach a craving & an aversion (Buddhist lingo) to drive, and you have obsession. A drive to simply live your life & “nourish yourself” feeds you. Obsession that compels feeds upon you.
^^^^^^
“Remind me…, discover myself and that it’s not going to be easy. Remind me, ‘cause I forget sometimes to remind myself.”
^^^
:oD You are loved!
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