Walking Alone

Although I am blessed with many wonderful people in my life, who love, care and support me there are times I have to walk the valley of darkness alone.

The day when the true test is thrust upon me; and due to circumstances, situations and life's eb and flow, those are moments I face alone. I have to get my own back.

From I seek out friends, family, and help I can get. Sometimes the help comes from the most unlikely source. Sometimes the support I need does not come at all.

These are moments when I see everyone's true colors.

These are the times I realize my own potential, which I hide from myself.

I am ready for the next easy hike, and the tougher climb after it.

Usually I try to use my own images, but lately I have googled some, and this is what I got for "Valley of Darkness" Images. Battlestar Galactica! Made me smile!

Breathe!

The Tigeress

Your words made a deep impact. I don't know how or why, they inspired me, and hit me hard where, like you knew where to aim. I was impressed. More over I was inspired. Yes the fire began burning again, and I knew what I wanted... from MY life. And what I wanted from and for the world.

You showed me my inner secrets, my inner power - The Tiger in me arose... no more whimpering cub. You took down your wall which protects your heart, and showed me where it hurts; I asked you for patience and you gave me my space... you told me I needed to be stronger, assertive, confident in me. I dont know how or why, but it helped. and Here I am.

you were gentle, you love me, my support system, my best friend, like music does love and life flow...

I am a Tigress, see me run, hear me roar.

Thank you for the many experiences, the love and the memories!

Letting go of the past, embracing the new...


OM

Breathe!

Finding the Conquering Spirit ... Finding Peace of Mind and Pie

So I have been going to West Virginia three years in a row now!
First time I've gone there without a person who is a significant other! BUT HEY
I was my own significant other! The whole trip took: courage, blood shed, tears, pain, inner strength, outer strength, love and patience.
Long and difficult 5 hours to drive, but so worth it in the end, for friendship and adventure. Ultimately exhaustion, lessons learned, new friends made, and the whole thing was therapeutic in finding the Pree in Me again.

I can breathe again, and know I am strong and able to conquer many tough challenges - yes I might have to be whipped with a rope at times, scrape my elbows and knees, cry a whole new river out of my eyes, yell at myself... but I get there in the end.

Determination, Will, and well belief in my self.

I did some rock climbing ... outdoors this time. It was tough. Discouraging, frustrating at times, but I did it!

Confidence, Courage, and maybe even a little ego!

So onward and upward shall we go!

(here's a little secret ---- after a hard days work we all get Pies and Pints! = Motivation!)

(That is Renee climbing at Rehab/Ferngully, near Fayetville, WV)


Breathe!!!!

4th July 2011 Fun with Fidge

Rafting the New River (WV)

Hiking and Life - Let's Hike!!!!

so this is not my own story but a business colleague of my dad's from Owen's Corning Dr. Rowland Loh's Son and Daughter in law hiked... and they made a website about their hiking experiences. The "about us" part of their had an analogy between hiking and life. It makes me want to hike more, and start the next few 100 feet elev. of my hike (life)!!!!

website link:  http://www.dayhikesfinder.com/AboutUs/Index3.html
please visit the website!

" An Analogy

Hiking has changed our perspective on life. During a long hike/climb in Oklahoma, I came up with an analogy by comparing hiking with life’s events. I told Mary about the analogy as we inched higher to the summit:

“Just about everyone has goals/targets/obstacles in life, some people aim to be CEOs, some look forward to retiring young, some are working hard to see their children healthy and successful, and some are in the struggle to cope with unexpected illness... These are the mountains we climb; Everest is probably Bill Gate’s inner mountain.

As we start off, the summit appears so distant and unreachable, but we step forward regardless. We assess the few hundred feet of ground before us and accomplish the hike one section at a time. As we continue, we must learn to take breaks, pat ourselves/each other on the back for the accomplishments we have made. We must not forget to turn around and enjoy the views. Sometimes we make it to the top, sometimes we don't. We have no regrets since we already took the 1st step and tried.

If we arrive at the summit, the view is absolutely spectacular, our horizon expanded and we are able to see and experience more than those in the lower elevations. But the views came at a cost, the wind is stronger, the temperature is lower, and the sun’s ray is tougher. We brace ourselves (or hold hands with our loved ones) to endure the elements… so we can continue our enjoyment of the spectacular 360 degree view of the world below us. As we descent, we carry scars of burned and weather-beaten skin down the mountain, along with torn pants and bruised elbows, but it’s now an easy stroll with a beautiful view all the way down. We arrived at the trailhead full of smiles.

At the trailhead, a hiker asked us:” What’s it like up there… is it a tough hike? I answered: ” You bet! There are lots of loose rocks and you need to watch your steps. Some sections have steep drops off on both sides, but with enough resolve, you can make it! The view is well-worth it on top. I can’t describe it; you'll have to see it yourself. Just don't give up! “

So what is your next (inner) mountain, and will you now give up?""


PS: take only pictures leave only footprints!!!!
<3 u all ... merry hiking!!!! and i'm always there to accompany you on hikes!
pictures courtesy google image search: Nanga Parbat and Nanda Devi
last picture is me in Sedona, Arizona on a supposed "vortex" :-)

Worth it?

Is it even worth it?

- to write this blog - does anyone read it?
i write to satisfy myself, but it would be nice for people to read it and get some input.

- to plan trips to places?
and know you could have invested in something you may use over and over again instead.

- to have awesome experiences?
but no one to share it with at that moment.

- to live life in a safe little bubble?
when the whole world just passes you by.

- to love and lose loves many times?
and in the end realize you loved them all and can still find someone else.

- to fall down and get up again?
to know you will fall again probably harder.

- to sleep and dream?
only to wake up in the morning, knowing you'll face the same shit on a different day.

IS IT ALL WORTH IT?

- or is it better to be a monk and realize this is all temporary and we shall all transcend to whatever...



i bet it all boils down to douglas adams' "life, the universe and everything."