Wayward Mountaineer
At times when the mountain seems way too massive, and the journey has gone a bit wayward, continuing to climb can be very awkward. So, as a fatigued mountaineer I ended up at a church service, I haven’t been for a long time. It was an interesting evening, particularly the story about Naaman (2 Kings: 5), a guy with leprosy who was told to dunk himself in the river seven times as a cure for his condition, and it worked. Although, he went through a stage of objecting wildly to this because he wanted to be zapped better and didn’t like the process. Definitely a story to inspire perseverance (even when you find yourself in a mightily big mess!), for there are rarely short cuts to be found on the way to transformation. The Bible leaves me quite perplexed at times, if you randomly open it for an answer it can certainly overwhelm (especially the old testament!), however, I do appreciate the stories relating to human struggles, I relate to them SO well.
The power of words was also something that was addressed, and the way they can alter us and our actions. Lately, I have been caught up in a tangled web of word play, and it can leave one with so many negative emotions to sift through somehow. I found that a great way to view this is that positive words bring LIFE, and negative words bring DEATH, and as I live out my life in this world of words I can certainly see this unfold. I had become so dead on the inside, lost in doubt, fear, and all that works in opposition to living freely. I felt like a train wreak, taking on board every comment that headed in my direction, being much too focussed on the stinging words; it left me unable to give, but just immersed in sorting out my own internal disaster. It’s not a happy place to be. I could still manage to send out a smile somehow, but it was rather forced and in-genuine. If it is true that “you get what you give”, then I can see why I wasn’t getting much in the way of a positive response. So, I’m thinking that it’s turning point time and will make a concerted effort to hand out positivity, regardless of what’s flying at me. Change has to start somewhere, so here and now would be a good place to begin. If the past can be forgiven, there is indeed HOPE for the future. It may be the only way over the mountain, because it certainly wasn’t being achieved with a word shoot-out, that path can only go round and round the mountain.
Thinking of mountains reminds me of this moving song by Mumford & Sons. Here’s a link if you want to have a listen :
Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way. ~ Dr Seuss
Thank you for reading, and I simply must leave you with with a smile that bursts from the page with authenticity. My daughter really knows how to *smile* :
“Sail To The Moon”
I was listening to this song today, and it really made sense to me. Especially this part : I spoke (in my case it would be tweeted, or retweeted) too soon, and how much did it cost? Words can so easily ignite a fire that can be really difficult to put out once it starts to blaze out of control (You can probably tell that I was also listening to The Prodigy’s ‘Fire Starter’ – music is such a big part of my life at the moment). The cost can be pretty damn high sometimes!
I completely understand how reactions escalate in a tempestuous environment, so I think there is a need to understand where we are all coming from in this kind of space. It’s not easy, and the storm can appear so quickly and really devastate. I’m sure it must be leading to times of greater strength, and hopefully less clumsiness on my part. The best approach, I’d say, would be to help others out of the shit when it hits the fan, and see that deep down they just need a hug. It’s a chaotic painful world, but I want to try to seek the rosy side.
Here are the lyrics for the song:
“Sail To The Moon”
I sucked the moon
I spoke too soon
And how much did it cost?
I was dropped from
Moonbeams
And sailed on shooting stars
Maybe you’ll
Be president
But know right from wrong
Or in the flood
You’ll build an Ark
And sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
(Thanks to Radiohead for the great music, they have the perfect song for every mood and moment. =)
I found this really cute video for the song:
My son drew this picture yesterday. He has a knack for drawing superhero stickmen comics. They are certainly very busy pictures, showing much movement. I think they’re awesome, but as a Mum I can’t help but be proud of him. I personally like the little picture in the top right hand corner, showing someone reaching down to help the other out of the water. I think we’ve all been there.
Moving forward… ((hugs))
Alice Springs School Project
Alice Springs, what an amazing place! I was initially overwhelmed by the heat, but soon acclimatised to find a spring in my step (it was possibly more of a wobbly step as I stumbled upon all it’s wonders), finding myself falling into a state of awe when encountering it’s vibrant redness.
The heat dictated the easy going lifestyle, so heading to the city pub for a chilled beer (that can really be appreciated in such a climate like nowhere else) seemed like the perfect action to take. Bojangles had a lively scene, it was so entertaining listening to the Alice Springs locals chatting about a variety of subjects like music (their musical knowledge was so with-it that I was very inspired to reorganize my iPod =), the best Alice Springs cuisine, there was some discussion about the pickles that arrived at the table, and if they were in fact pickles or gherkins – initially, I thought they were gherkins, but they definitely turned out to be pickles. However, that could be forgotten as the hip hop music started playing and the dancing began. Dancing has that magical way of making worries disappear.
We couldn’t have visited the place without experiencing a bus tour, to be informed about Alice Springs as only a tour guide can inform, with charisma and a mic. It was like a magical mystery tour, and after a while I had Dream-time stories floating around in my head that were so thrilling; such an enchanting way of explaining the land formation.
Getting to know the various characters aboard was an adventure in itself, so many jokers around to make it a riot as they expressed their take on Alice Springs life. I especially enjoyed it when one of the fellow trekkers sang a little song about the Alice Springs Library with a Ukulele accompaniment, very original and full of library enthusiasm. Certainly seems like the place to be if you need a book.
When arriving at Ayers Rock to see just how grand it was (one of the most distinguishing features being it’s redness), I was somewhat disappointed at finding I had only black and white film on me to capture the incredible view. I thought, that would be right! Felt like one of those opportunities that arrive when you’re not quite ready, and there is a sense of disappointment at just how wrong timing can be, so all you can do is laugh and hope that you can capture the beauty of it with black and white film. I still have the vivid colours of the experience in mind that will stay with me.
The camels were a site to see as they roam the land snorting loudly, being wildly happy, taking it all in their stride as they enjoyed the freedom that the land can provide; the wild ones a little unapproachable, but the camels of the more tame variety being quite helpful to transport the tired tourist.
Talking a swim @ Glen Helen Gorge, a place to find relief from the intensity of the hot days that frequent this region. The time spent there was so peaceful floating about in the muddy water. It was like an Oasis, but more realistic because of the mud.
On Todd St, the main thoroughfare of Alice Springs, there were so many art galleries to see with various Indigenous paintings that certainly reveal to the tourist how aesthetic dots can be when arranged in earthy coloured patterns. This style fascinates me personally, because I’ve always considered dots to be quite useful for this, and that, etc…..
The storms that would arrive frequently, yet pass so quickly they make you wonder if it even happened until you read about it in the newspaper, or by the puddles that remain, that can be really awesome to ride your bike through to make a splash !
How wonderful it would be to encounter you Alice Springs during a music festival, my red dancing shoes would match your red landscape so perfectly.
“I am the master of my fate”
After viewing “Ïnvictus”, the latest film by Clint Eastwood today I was inspired to have a think about the choices we make everyday, and how significant they are. Before seeing the film earlier today, I made quite an appalling decision to flow with petty revenge, and even though I quite enjoyed it at the time, it didn’t take long for me to realize it was a bad idea. Nothing good can ever come from such undignified behavior. This film reinforced this so well, making me squirm in my seat. It was full of quotes such as: “forgiveness liberates the soul”, “I am the captain of my soul”, and “I am master of my fate”, so I was quite moved by the need to set things straight. It doesn’t matter what someone does to me, I can make the choice to respond with integrity rather then with a nya nya nya school girl verbal punch. In the moment of anger there is indeed a momentum towards avenging oneself, and finding higher ground is not easy, but Morgan Freeman’s line about forgiveness does ring true. There is definitely more peace found within afterwards.
Some films, like this one, seem so helpful with finding a sense of direction that aspires one to move towards greatness. I was surprised that a film about Rugby (I don’t understand Rugby at all) could be so impressive, but with Morgan Freeman acting as Nelson Mandela, and Clint Eastwood directing, I felt more optimistic about the chances of it being a worthwhile viewing experience. And besides the Rugby part it was superb, in fact a few of the Rugby scenes were okay too. Nelson Mandela’s vision shone through the screen like a bright light to inspire, he truly was a remarkable man. At this point you may be thinking this is not a very good film review, but that’s not what I’m trying to achieve here, just in case you’re confused. I’m just wanting to address the importance of choices, and was recognizing this film as being the source of my day’s newly found verve for finding something noble inside (if possible, i hope it is!). If once again caught up in a petty moment I’m going to try to remember, but it seems to be an area that needs to be constantly revisited, and forgiveness refreshed. Even so, to know when to let go is often the hardest decision to make (If i were in a Star Trek film I’d definitely be from the planet Klingon), but when it’s time to move on you just have to do it. Ultimately, being free, happy, and at peace is the desired destination.
Opportunity is really something that needs to be seized when it arrives, and the film showed this necessity so well as the rugby team approached the World Cup against Australia (I have to say that I was torn by the decision as to who to barrack for in the game, being a patriotic Aussie myself, Aussie Aussie Aussie… Oi Oi Oi!). With the encouragement to gain belief in oneself, as films often seem to encourage (certainly Disney films anyway), the possibility of success feels somehow possible. I can see why film attendance is peeking with the level of encouragement towards the “I can live the dream” mentality.
My choice today is to live with enthusiasm regarding the future, and to try to help others to feel that they can also find a way. Hate can be extinguished, and hopefully (*fingers crossed*) not revisited. It’s amazing what affirmation from a few powerful cinematic (sometimes cheesy) film speeches can do for the mind.
Here’s a you tube clip from the film:
Let me know what you think… please comment. 
