This summer I have fallen in love with hiking! Seriously it is incredible. I love being outside, seeing awesome stuff, feeling adventurous, being way high up, exercising, taking epic pictures, being with friends and everything else involved in any hiking extravaganza.
But more than anything I love how you feel when you climb a mountain. I'm tellin ya there is something about it, don't you think? Every time in some ways I feel like there's this spiritual link. I mean what better way to admire God's creations, not only the mountain in and of itself but also everything you can see once you get up there! What a gift. There is so much to learn as your alone with your thoughts more or less for a few hours. Lots of time to think while you're just following the path. I love it.
Basically this video is a some of favorite things this summer in 3 minutes and 30 seconds :)
***BUT if nothing else check it out for the song, this is the one and only Miss Valerie Larsen's original work; The Mountain
Ya I know do I have a cool sister or what?
"You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again.
So why bother in the first place?
Just this:
What is above knows what is below. But what is below does not know what is above.
One climbs, one sees.
One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen.
There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see one can at least still know." - Renae Daumal
This one little thought has a dozen lessons it it. Wow, I love it. Today the one on my mind is that there is so much in life that you can't just read about or hear about or learn about. You have to DO something about it. I could look at the mountains all day, or talk to someone who's been to the top, even see a picture of the view. But until I myself hike on up there I can't really understand in a fullness how beautiful and eye opening the view will be. Beforehand I'll already know that it will be gorgeous, but you still have to get out there, do the work, and gain that experience for yourself.
So climb a mountain sometime. It's healthy.
-and not just because it's exercise :)
Don't you feel bad for all those people living in flat places?
4 comments:
Don't you feel bad for all those people living in flat places?
yes (she replied with a hint of self pity)
I love this post. It makes me think of spiritual things. Whenever I think of climbing up or descending from a mountain peak I think of the words "He that descended below all things"- and the infinite nature of distance and how the Savior had to leave the peak for a time to understand what it is we're all fighting so helplessly. And also for us to understand that we aren't just fighting to overcome the shortsightedness of the valley, but we're fighting to STAY (in whatever sense we can) in the high place. It's also interesting to think of the B.O.M. story of Lehonti and his temptation to come down from the mountain and as he finally did so he was poisoned. Interesting- I don't think it ties that well to the quote because they're both talking about descent in different lights- but that's what I think of. and I love dew
i feel bad for those living among the flats...because i don't ever think they would see those sweet cave dwelling bats..ok back to regular talk..ellen- you are so inspirational. i think you are one of the greatest people i know. oh my goodness...to finish this off i think we should get bff tats. peace.
Ellen! I love this and you. Those are amazing thoughts, pictures, and quotes. What an incredible song! Val is amazing. Wish I could have been in all those amazing places with you!
Beautiful philosophy. Your posts always inspire me. I just love your style. :) And shee-heeeesh, Val! When's that autograph signing again?? Such talent.
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