Reflections: Graceful movement, problem-solving in mountain climbing, and the Easter Vigil

Apr 30
3 min read

My April Reflection

I was a mountain climber enthusiast. Not climbing them but reading articles, watching movies such as Free Solo with climber Alex Honnold. I was fascinated with what I was watching and then met one of the directors of that film, Jimmy Chin. He spoke at a conference and shared amazing photographs of his own mountain climbs.

I don't remember why I stopped following that sport, or dare I say, art form. Fast forward, I was watching Netflix and a movie popped up that immediately caught my interest - Apex, an action-packed mountain climbing, kayaking waters, and escaping human threats - starring Charlize Theron. No more scrolling, I'm in. Our nephew had recently recommended a documentary - The Dark Wizard. It documents the complicated life of famous mountain climber Dean Potter. I'm watching that too.

What I discovered is one thing that brought me to be so intrigued with watching people scale these amazing rock structures is the beauty of the climb itself. The patience, calmness, gracefulness that it requires. It's like watching Mikhail Baryshnikov or Martha Graham float across the stage.

Body - Finding beauty in daily movement

I have quite an extensive morning routine - meditation, prayer, mobility, stretching, yoga poses, gratitude - which I have been doing each morning for well over a decade. Sometimes it's a little bit of a struggle as the tug to drive to work sits in the back of my mind.

After watching the Apex film and beginning to watch the documentary series, I got renewed inspiration. I really "felt" into each move as I was doing it, connecting body, mind, and spirit instead of "going through the motions". It reminded me of my yoga sessions on the beach at the workshops put on by former commander of the Navy SEALs, Mark Divine. There is no place else to be except where your feet and soul are. This makes you feel whole.

Challenge for you:

Where in your life right now are you "going through the motions"? Can you commit to being more present today?

Mind - Mountain climbing and problem-solving

Reading about Charlize’s role in Apex, and learning to mountain climb (she did many of her own stunts), I was intrigued by her comment that one thing she liked about climbing is the problem-solving aspect. Of course! You are reliant not only on your gear and expertise - it comes right down to problem-solving. Something that is more easy to neglect in a technology-focused world.

I liken this problem-solving to golf. In golf if you want to have relative "success" you must be fully present and focused. Inevitably you will find your ball in a precarious position. You must strategize and figure your way out to the "best solution" for you, not the "hero" shot but what is best for you in that moment. The good thing is whatever choice you make in golf won't be life-threatening as hanging off the side of El Capitan.

Hmm...makes me think that a good off-season activity may be to learn in-door rock climbing. I'll get back to you on this one.

Challenge for you:

Do you like cross-word puzzles? Wordle? Before typing in your question to the big search engine-that-could, pause, put down your phone, and do this old-fashioned thing - think.

Spirit - From the darkness to light and the power of voice

Standing in a dark, pack-filled church, one by one, we received light from a candle and passed that light to the person standing next to you. The Easter Vigil came to life with light from a single candle. The quiet place was transformed into an almost angelic sound from the talented choir, singing as one voice. It added to the richness of the Mass.

Whether it’s beauty in music or the climbing of a majestic mountain, it points to something larger than ourselves. It reminds us that there is stillness and peace in all of us. We just need to take a listen.

Challenge for you:

Where can you find patience, calmness, and step into the light? We are all in so much need of light. You must be that light.

Quotes I’m pondering:

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." — Albert Einstein

"Of all the fire mountains which, like beacons, once blazed along the Pacific Coast, Mount Rainier is the noblest." ~ John Muir