I made these, but didn’t put them in list form till now. So, here is my list of the 15 things I resolve to do to make a more radical 2019

1. Write in my blog more – once a week
2. Finish my Red Deer Lodge novel by the end of the year
3. Re-start, and recommit, to violin lessons – attend once a month, practice once (or more) a week
4. Climb Whitney, Notch, Rainier… train more, climb more rock and ice
5. Ski more – weekly
6. Watch less TV, read more – limit to one show a night, then read
7. Start taking a ‘cyber sabbath’ day – once a week no digital stuff
8. Write two letters a month, send them to people you’ve been thinking of
9. Tick off 10 things on your bucket list
10. Recommit to meditation – daily, minimum of 15 min
11. Have better sex
12. Get out of credit card debt, start killing student loans
13. See all the parks in Utah
14. Get out of Utah (vacation) at least twice
15. Be more romantic

The wind whispered, the trees danced and the snow smiled. Being out in the wilderness I am reminded that I come from the wilderness. My heart was born here, my body made from the same elements. My soul longs to return to the wilderness, to dance with the trees and share the secrets of the wind. The Earth always invites me back, and when I return it seems she is overjoyed to have me. It’s here I am reminded of the importance of the soul, and how to touch it, and why that is so critical.

I don’t think that many can understand why I enjoy the torture of the mountains. It’s probably because, for me, it’s not torture. It’s a return home. It’s exactly how I see heaven. Quiet, filled with love and acceptance. Somewhere I can be myself with out judgement or fear of rejection. I pay a price to feel that way, sometimes that price hurts, but it’s always worth it. When my lungs burn, I can feel the love of the cool air. When my heart pounds in my ears, it drowns out the world around me and the distracting thoughts so I can hear the whispers of the wind. When my muscles ache and beg for me to stop, I know that the sweet calming of natures peace and love are almost ready to embrace me. It’s here I remember who I am, where I came from and where I hope to get to. It’s here I don’t have to wait for heaven.

I love the mountains. They are gentle, serious, kind, unforgiving, beautiful and daunting forces that demand humility and expect the pilgrim to believe. Not in the traditions of others but to believe in the mountain, in the power of nature and the earth. There is power here, and it is raw. To be able to tap into that is one of the greatest things I have discovered in this life. It’s here I have found my God. It’s here I am visited by my brother. It’s here I fill my cup in hopes of returning home to fill the cups of others.

Rene Daumal said, “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.”

I have been to the mountain top, but not all the tops. I have seen, but still have a world to discover. I have climbed, and descended. I hope to one day be able to conduct myself as one who knows what I know and who has seen what I have seen. Till I master that lesson, I will continue to climb.

“Mountains have always been spiritual symbols. In nearly every culture, nearly every religion, the mountains have been recognized as the abode of God. Never before have I felt such power from the earth as I do here. It’s impossible to ignore, impossible to doubt. I love to be among the mountains. They remind me of God, they serve as places of peace and meditation, they allow such communion with the spiritual nature of life as no other place can. To climb mountains intensifies these feelings. In climbing there i absolute simplicity and undisturbed focus that opens channels in the soul which allows it to  be filled with an overwhelming sense of life around you, an overwhelming sense of God. I doubt there is any other way to procure such emotion – I suppose that is why mountains have always served important functions in the religion of humankind. I feel very blessed to have the opportunities that I’e been given to climb. I think sometimes it’s difficult for others to understand – but for me – it is simply a way of life.” -Mike Nelson

So this thing happened. I had the opportunity to officiate at my brothers wedding. This is a big deal to me, seeing that this particular brother and I weren’t really friends for a long time. That relationship has since bloomed into one of the most rewarding in my life, and I am grateful for him. Anyway, being able to really conduct this ceremony was an honor.

So, these two are married. Not because of anything I said, but because of what they chose. I just got to be there for the ride. It was awesome.

Congrats to these two. My very best wishes and hopes and dreams for you. May the ups be as wonderful as the downs. May you have the ability to look upon the winters of your relationship with as much awe and inspiration as you do the summers. May the knife of hard times carve out of you the imperfections of your ego and leave more space for love to fill.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments,  to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Jeff and Amanda in marriage.

Love is the core of marriage and why we are here today. Marriage takes trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It takes dedication, to stay open to one another – and to learn and grow together. It takes faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it takes commitment; to hold true to the journey you both pledge today to share together.

Jeff and Amanda, I would ask that you both remember to treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourself often of what brought you together today.
Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage – as they do to every relationship at one time or another – focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.

This celebration today is the outward token of your sacred and inward union of hearts, which the church or temple may bless, and the state make legal, but which neither state nor church can create nor annul. It is a union created by your loving purpose and kept by your abiding will. It is in this spirit and for this purpose that you have come here to be joined together.

Jeff and Amanda will now exchange their vows

Jeff and Amanda: as you dedicate yourselves to one another, we are mindful of the presence of God around us. In this sacred and joyful moment, we call upon the highest in you the divine inner presence that brought you to love and has chosen for you the sweet commitment of marriage.

For you we ask every blessing of this moment; a confirmation of the wisdom of your choice; great happiness on the path that is set before you, discretion, kindness and care as you walk upon it; strength to live out your purpose; grace and peace through each step of your journey; and beloved family and friends to support you.

 

Jeff, are you here to ask Amanda to be your partner, your lover, your friend and your wife? Do you intend to give her your deepest friendship and love, not only when you are feeling bright and alive, but also when you are feeling down? Not only when you remember clearly that you are a manifestation of Love, but even in those times when you forget? Do you announce before God and those here present that you will seek always to see the Light of Divinity within Amanda, and seek always to share the Light of Divinity within you?

Amanda, are you here to ask Jeff to be your partner, your lover, your friend and your husband? Do you intend to give him your deepest friendship and love, not only when you are feeling bright and alive, but also when you are feeling down? Not only when you remember clearly that you are a manifestation of Love, but even in those times when you forget? Do you announce before God and those here present that you will seek always to see the Light of Divinity within Jeff, and seek always to share the Light of Divinity within you?

Jeff and Amanda, by the power vested in me, and with great pleasure, I humbly declare you Man and Wife.

Jeff, kiss your bride. Amanda, embrace your husband.”