Whoever battles with monsters had better see that it does not turn him into a monster. And if you gaze into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you. –Friedrich Nietzsche
7-3-06 I’ve always liked the above quote from Nietzsche. We have all dealt with “monsters” – be it something external or that little bit of darkness in ourselves. I have battled monsters yet I have not become a monster. I have gazed into the abyss and yes, I have felt it gaze back at me – but it has not consumed me. I have lived a life that has been characterized not as steady and safe but as adventurous and yet peaceful.
The condo I purchased two years ago is by far the most expensive thing I have ever purchased. Does it satisfy or make me feel safe? No – I bought it as a finacial investment for my future adventures. From the desert of Arizona to the hills of North Dakota I have traversed looking not for something to fill my soul but to fill my spirit. Hiking up Camelback Mountain in the desert with the desert heat soaking up my energy as I determinedly put one foot in front of the other till I reached the top was simply for the view.
When Marjorie and I hiked in the mountains of Tennessee our destination was a waterfall where we hoped to eat lunch before returning. During that sometimes difficult hike we were visited by deer, birds, and a black bear. We made it to the waterfall, ate our lunch and marveled that we had hiked so far to see water fall over rocks. The destination wasn’t near as memorable as the journey – which is often the case in life.
I’ve been on a week long canoe trip down the perfectly clear Upper Iowa River; seen the Grand Canyon a few times; viewed the breathtaking view of Phoenix at night from the top of South Mountain; snorkeled with a nurse shark and a barracuda; hiked in the blue-grass of North Dakota’s Thomas Jefferson State Park with my son, Wayne; and have sailed on a catamaran out to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. I have seen wild mustangs, wild buffalo, the black bear, elk, sting rays, dolphins, sharks and manatees.
By many people’s standards, I have done a lot. Yet these things are all small by my standards. I look forward to seeing Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and some day maybe Egypt. In three years I plan to move from Florida to either Iowa or Colorado…only time will tell. During those three years left here I hope to get down to the Bahamas to scuba dive with a large group of sharks, I hope to dive on a few of the wrecked ships in the area, and try my hand at parasailing. Will these activities and places satisfy my hungry soul? No, but they will make my spirit fly!
You write beautifully.
I agree whole heartedly with the above response.
You have a wonderful way with words.
you light up the words as if it is a movie you are displaying for the rest of us.
Ever consider writing a book?
You definitely have the ability to do it
Thank both of you for your comments and encouragement. I a manuscript that I am on rewrite number 210 – maybe I’ll get it done one of these days.