I was watching a TED talk where the speaker was discussing life lessons he’d learned from rock climbing. The one that resonated most with me was his thoughts on knowing the right moment to let go.
It is difficult to accept defeat… but retreat does not neccessarily equal weakness. Instead, it can be a sign of flexibility and agility, or a demonstration that you are striving beyond your comfort zone.
I owe a friend of mine a huge debt – she helped me to understand spiritual growth in ways I’d never previously imagined. She recently posted a beautiful facebook note explaining the reasons she loves to dance. Interestingly enough, her motivations were almost the exact same as those that drive me to rock climb.
In the most recent issue of Urban Climber, several of the most talented climbers explained why they climb. If you’ve ever looked at people dangling on ropes, entrusting their life to a 1 inch piece of nylon, and wondered why we do it, read on:
“I am in constant pursuit of perfect movement, the union of body and mind. I sacrifice my energy and spirit towards achieving this ultimate goal.” – Emily Harrington
“My experience – the act, the movement, the ritual, the normality – is my form of prayer, and my deity is everything. Stone – imperanent and energized, yet not living – it is the point of nature I communicate with.” – Dave Graham
“… it becomes a place of worship, escape, a solitude unmatched by anything else, an incessant need.” – Joe Iurato and Tim Kemple
“Climbing, by the accident of its intensity and place, transports you to a realm of a truly human experience free of the blindness and weight of the observer… As emotions reveal themselves, but don’t explain themselves, a spiritual existence is present. You are simply another piece of this natural world and not an observer of your place in it.” – Kevin Jorgeson
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