Heading towards a Swiss peak long before the light of day, a dark trail became a bright, reflective classroom. The teacher, a headlamp.
Heading towards a Swiss peak long before the light of day, a dark trail became a bright, reflective classroom. The teacher, a headlamp.
New shoulds, eye glasses, and response.
Craving the serenity, simplicity and solitude of life in the Himalayas, where I am disconnected yet connect deeply: inner peace should not be altered. I have work to do.
When Mother Nature sent us to our rooms, the imposition was all too familiar. Thoughts of being alone with only the voices in my head was daunting. I welcomed an unanticipated energy surge, yet nothing lasts forever. The Corona Blues are deep yet a spark flickers.
Something powerful takes over when hanging by an axe hooked into ice, crampons and a collection of carabiners. Presence is where I find inner peace.
I once thought that my TBI and vision loss meant my life had fallen apart, yet today I feel it beginning to fall into place.
When I create space for new possibilities, I flow with renewed courage, thankful for the strength I have learned from my scars.
Tears flowed throughout this tale which depicts the power of intentions, perspective and pausing in the art of conversation.
New shoulds, eye glasses, and response.
Craving the serenity, simplicity and solitude of life in the Himalayas, where I am disconnected yet connect deeply: inner peace should not be altered. I have work to do.
When Mother Nature sent us to our rooms, the imposition was all too familiar. Thoughts of being alone with only the voices in my head was daunting. I welcomed an unanticipated energy surge, yet nothing lasts forever. The Corona Blues are deep yet a spark flickers.
Something powerful takes over when hanging by an axe hooked into ice, crampons and a collection of carabiners. Presence is where I find inner peace.
I once thought that my TBI and vision loss meant my life had fallen apart, yet today I feel it beginning to fall into place.
When I create space for new possibilities, I flow with renewed courage, thankful for the strength I have learned from my scars.
Tears flowed throughout this tale which depicts the power of intentions, perspective and pausing in the art of conversation.
When I thought I was on solid ground, an unanticipated wave rocked me. I work to ride the waves, each one an opportunity to learn from.
Life is not about dwelling or craving change. Embracing life is about being the best I can possibly be right now.
Vulnerability has led to conversation, connection and immeasurable growth that would not have unfolded had I kept my falls and fears within.
An open heart and an open mind, opens doors and light appears. An unanticipated week in the hospital with pneumonia, I found light.
Up five stitches, down a front tooth, the sky was laughing at me as tears fell through the wrath of thunder on a new September 3rd.
Deep, dark emotions that held me in misery, have become lessons. The more I learn, the less I fear.
Though physical scars are permanent, self-belief changed. From hospitals to mountains, I am healing, rediscovering, not fixing, myself.
Vulnerability has led to new connections, experiences, growth and gratitude. Opening up has sparked new light on my trail.
13 massifs during 1 trip arounds the sun: 12 months later, I am just getting started. Run, reflect, and grow through what I go through.
From going to bed hoping to not wake, to being stoked about my trails ahead, though my eyesight has narrowed, my perspective has widened.
North America triggered reminders of TBI losses. I struggled to find what I needed in my toolbox.
An unanticipated crack of a baseball bat in Flagstaff was nothing any therapy had prepared me for.
Arrival in the USA was accompanied by overwhelm. Rather than letting stumbling stones trip me up, I chose to let them strengthen and motivate me.
Sharing my story with a team of blind and visually impaired runners, the inspiration that transpired shone far brighter than the stars in the evening sky.
After years of one-to-one care, I cherish being alone in silence. Challenging days of stillness and silence proved to be powerful movement.
My body was on death’s doorstep such a short time ago. Now, being kind to it seems so straightforward yet through rocky terrain I struggle.
Bloodied knees and hands and another smashed pair of sunglasses. At times I can laugh off falls. Today, getting back up was difficult.
New relationships can be challenging. In my case, the new relationship is with myself. Like any relationship, it takes work.
What I cherish and celebrate in others at times is a challenge for me to appreciate in myself. I strive to focus on the look of inner strength.
A fairy tale might include a pretty alpine picture with my face glistening in the setting sun. Though many rainbows and golden stars, this story is real.
Transitioning from the Pyrenees to the Rhone Alps, nostalgia took a surprising toll. The learning curve is all uphill.
A glimpse of acronyms intended to make sense of my injuries, diagnoses and complications along the way.
Mac says:
Change is the nature of the present moment… which is why it can be difficult to understand… remaining still and present is the only way to assess the flow of the most subtle change, the most subtle flow of the river of life that we are all flowing in…
Imagine the center of your heart is the brightest light, and that brightest light is here on the earth, and that earth is spinning, and that light spins with the earth, and that earth, as it spins is also revolving around a sun, and so does that brightest light, and as that light spins and revolves, it is also travelling through space along the arms of the galaxy… and so imagine that brightest light, at the centre of your heart is never still, it is always flowing within the nature of life, yet all the while that brightest light remains within you, it is yours and you are responsible for it, while you have it, as you flow in the river of life that you can only know about, if become present and still…
Know this, and you have reached your summit…!!! stay there as long as you like, but remember, the journey up and down the mountain is just as enjoyable as being at the summit, because the valley is just as important as the summit, because without the valley, we have no summit… ❤️
mountainsofmymind says:
Thank you for connecting your inner thoughts with my reflection Mac. Keep embracing the flow, the ups and the downs while continuing to shine and share your light Mac.
x, j
Tom Stevens says:
I am also starting out my run or bike ride in the darkness relying on a headlamp as the days grow shorter. The reward, a sunrise, the dewy scent of the forest and pictures of wildlife starting their quest for food. The morning holds more promise than any other time of day. In Aspen, Colorado my mornings are Jill’s afternoons, her mornings are bedtime for me. I don’t deal with TBI symptoms but share her empathy for those who do and am thankful she is a voice bringing light from the darkness.
mountainsofmymind says:
As I move along the rocky trail towards accepting my physical scars and celebrating the triumph in the stories they tell, I discover the healing powers of vulnerability, compassion and empathy.
Being with someone’s pain, even feeling it with them without trying to make it better can be as powerful as celebrating in what they have overcome. Empathetic people, like you practice perspective taking. Putting on the spectacles of another, seeing life through their eyes (eye) and imagining what fears they are facing can shift one’s mindset creating a wondrous connection. Being on the receiving end of your empathetic and compassionate connection helps ignite light in darkness ~ thank you Tom 🙏