I won’t lie. Life is upside-down right now, since my Pop passed away. Actually, life’s been upside-down since that motor vehicle accident back in October 2018 with my broken wrist and all that because I haven’t been able to climb. Climbing is really my saving grace and a true gift from God Himself to me. I just haven’t been able to do it in a long time, and since I have been cleared to do it, I haven’t been able to do it consistently at all. Not by any means! I’ve gotta find a way to get back in the groove!
The weather here in Montana hasn’t been cooperating for outdoor climbing one bit. Every time it looks like it might be dry enough and warm enough to go climbing outside, it rains or snows again! Spring is definitely late this year! My grandma used to say that if Easter was late, spring would be late. Boy, was she ever right this year! This isn’t just in Montana, either! It seems to be nationwide, from what I can tell from watching the news and weather forecasts. I want to climb!!! I need to climb. It truly is a need. It’s my mainline therapy for PTSD and it works wonders when I climb to keep the PTSD demons at bay. I need to be able to do it every day. I know that’s inconsistent with the whole theory of training with rest days and such, but I don’t do it so that I can become a professional climber. I do it so that I can experience some peace in my life. I climb because it’s in my blood to do so, and it affords me relief from the stress that my mental illness places upon me (in addition to the stresses of life itself). Climbing is non-negotiable in my life. Truly. It’s a passion and a life-saving act that I must treat myself to daily to remain physically and mentally healthy.
Whatever your passion is, I would encourage you to pursue it, whether it be professionally, for your own good, or just as a hobby. And on top of that, I want to tell you that it doesn’t matter what other people think of your passion. If you’re a hardened Marine Corps Veteran and you enjoy knitting, then knit to your heart’s content! You get my drift there. The best thing you can do for yourself is find a passion in life and pursue it. It’ll help you live longer because it will keep you mentally and physically healthy. Your own well-being is paramount. You can’t help others if you have no reserves for yourself. So, for you selfless souls out there, take care of yourselves first, and then you’ll have plenty more to give than if you neglect yourselves! And for the selfish? Well, you’ll probably find that, at some point in your life, you’re going to need help. Try taking a bit of that spirit on yourself. Help someone in need and it may make you feel better. It’s about balance, and it is absolutely critical to your health!
CLIMBING 4 THE REST OF US 