Never turn your back on a cliff. When Jen and I have a disagreement, we each take to our own peak, display some pique and peek at each other from our respective peaks. Then when we become uncomfortably nervous at the edge, we rejoin and realize there are deeper/higher issues than our piques, particularly those of tumbling over the peak.
Each day, Lake Havasu/Colorado River seems to be more attractive.
In years past, I would 'kid' that in the next life, I'd prefer 4 legs. Now I no longer joke about it.
There's always a unique angle of vision on each hike in this region.
Over the years, we learned much from books, lectures and other people. Hopefully, we continue to accumulate knowledge each day although I'd prefer it to be wisdom. However, it became clear that the best learning comes from experience, practise and dirtying the hands. Looking at Jenni standing on cliffs, edges and other ridiculous places, including some intelligent positions too, taught me the concept of courage. While bravery and courage can never be underestimated, admired really, there is a major difference between fearless and true courage. When one undertakes dangerous activities with little fear, that's amazing. However, when one undertakes dangerous activities and one is fearful, even frightened, that's courage. I see that in Jenni who is not always comfortable on narrow edges when she looks 'down to earth' but is seldom intimidated to avoid the challenge. She has shown and taught me the concept of courage. She has often scared me, too, which is not courage on my part, more likely, embarrassment.
This leads into another concept, one learned many years ago. I don't recall absorbing many ideas as wise as this one. In a world in which each human is unique, each having a particular skill or many, clearly some appear to be superior to others in their fields of expertise and in fact, in many other disciplines, too. Simply put, how does one compete against a 4-minute miler. For almost all, there is no possibility of competition. Thus, if a person can run a mile in 6-minutes, way above the average level, the person is more than 2 minutes slower than the few champions. Taking this to a logical conclusion, most of us could be considered quite useless in all aspects of life when compared with others who have a superior talent. Why bother to persevere? It seems an ideal formula for depression.
However, the system is far too smart. For, there exists the concept of potential. That others have superior talent to oneself matters not. Even if a person is almost useless, there is still hope. The critical issue is that one attempts to realize one's potential (maybe even exceed it slightly—it occurs when one tries diligently). Should a person meet his/her potential in one, some, or multi-fields, that person is a true champion. After all, one cannot exceed one's best effort. Should one reach those levels, that person is a winner. Our competition, our challenges, our obstacles come not from others, but rather, from within. Achieve what is possible for you, and you are a true success.
Okay, who feels like lunch?
From height, one realizes how large this seemingly small city is.
Stresses the point.
She is definitely enjoying herself.
This is the steeper and more rugged trail on the tougher side of Lizard Peak.
Stresses the point.
She is definitely enjoying herself.
This is the steeper and more rugged trail on the tougher side of Lizard Peak.
We term this as one of our 'Hillary-steps'. We have a number of what we consider tricky climbs; we kid around about them with respect to Edmund Hillary.
'Walk away, please go'...could not resist singing just like Matt Monroe when I saw Jen's artistic talents. I would never ask you to plug in your earphones though, I'm not a complete boar/bore.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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