One step at a time

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" -Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Usually it's hard to feel the significance of the small things we do to achieve a larger goal because they don't immediately show their impact. Yet looking back after we have reached our goal, we can recognize clearly the significance of every ounce of effort we made.

That's why when we're in the thick of a great undertaking and we're getting discouraged by constant challenges, we should remember the end goal we are striving for and recognize that our perseverance is not in vain.

I realize this especially in nature when climbing a big mountain and then looking back at the distance I crossed. It's amazing to see what can be accomplished with time and steady effort.

It's the same in life. By putting one foot in front of the other, eventually we find ourselves at our destination.

Spider Gap, Glacier Peak Wilderness, WA - July 7th, 2013

Appreciating our heritage

Recently I reflected about the importance of appreciating the investment made by those who paved the path that we now stand on. Countless of our ancestors and past heroes must have been through the same and greater challenges that I myself am facing in my time. Thinking about their sacrifices, it puts into perspective how small the challenges that I face really are and it leaves no room for complaint.

Tobacco Root Mountains, Montana - Summer 2012

Sincerity moves mountains

Nothing is more powerful than a person with a sincere mind to accomplish a certain ideal. That is why putting ourselves in situations that help us cultivate and solidify a sincere mind is so important.

The best environment to cultivate sincerity is in a challenging environment that tests our will and threatens our personal comforts. We should seek out these environments as our training ground where we set aside personal comforts to center our thoughts on fulfilling a greater objective.

One such place I like to go for this training is in nature. Nature is a place that is uncompromising in its lessons yet always consistent in the principles that it teaches.

Tobacco Root Moutains - Summer 2011