Last Updated on January 8, 2014 by James Dziezynski
As I wrap up the edits for the second edition of Best Summit Hikes in Colorado I’m eagerly looking forward to wrapping up the final chapters of my new book. It’s a collection of essays from the worlds of adventure, philosophy and travel. And even though it deals with some very weighty subjects, I’ve been fairly astounded by how positive the overall tone is.
That may sound a little odd seeing that I am the one who wrote all these essays. Why would any of it surprise the author? Some were written over four years ago and I’d completely forgotten the substance they contain. From the start, I wanted to make a book that was insightful, useful and would appeal to a large audience. I considered writing a strategy guide to Angry Birds, which would have easily met this end. But alas, a deeper probing of the human experience seemed a worthier, if possibly less profitable goal. And since I’m going through all the trouble of explaining the human condition, here’s a little wisdom that we all know but don’t always acknowledge.
Positivity and negativity are highly contagious.
It’s one of the great shames of literature and art that so much of what is considered profound is mired in fear and sorrow. It’s almost like we, as a species, are hardwired to resist our own bliss. That’s not to say that tragic and sorrowful things aren’t meaningful – the curiosity of tragedy is obvious. I believe that tragedy does not have a monopoly on powerful expression.
I feel very privileged to be around so many positive people who continue to fuel that outlook, even in situations that are inherently sad. If life teaches us anything, it’s that the easy way is seldom the best way. In a sense, it’s very easy to be angry, scared and bitter as a reaction to this world. For someone who had the dumb luck to be born to great parents in a (mostly) free country, I would never begrudge someone elsewhere whose circumstances validate such a view. What’s shocking however, is just how many people adopt a frightened and defensive world view when they have so much beauty, joy and inspiration lurking around every corner. Think about all the people who waste their precious lives adopting stances of intolerance, those who nurture their fear, those unwilling to dispel narrow mindedness.
Which is at the heart of the book: in order to expand ourselves and maximize our happiness, we must transcend the borders in our life. Travel, adventure, science, kindness, books – all these things push our boundaries and expose us to a wider reality.
This exploration of the world and the self benefits greatly by letting the wonder and happiness of life serve as a catalyst to expanding our hearts and minds. Being cynical is just too easy and at best, it’s an anchor that slows personal growth. I’ve seen extremely well traveled individuals who seem no greater for their travels and likewise, I’ve known astounding people who have never left their respective time zones.
It all depends what borders we are willing to cross and where we need to delve to find the elements of life that bolster the true profundity of the journey.
The 0.75 mile scramble to the top starts at the low point between Kelso and Torreys.
