Climb

Amid a moving cloud of chalk, my feet grip colored nubs, as my legs shake and my eyes move from left to right, up to down, calculating my next move.  I am twelve feet up a wall that is leaning like a domino mid-fall, and gravity is grabbing my hips, pulling me down, and saying: no, no, this isn't right!

I shake off the fear of falling, the fear of my foot slipping, the fear of my hands giving out, of flesh tearing from my fingers, the fear of failure, and I make a decision not to give up; I choose to climb.  There is a moment that I seek.  And this moment doesn't come easily. 

Recently, I've fallen in love with bouldering.  Bouldering is climbing without ropes or harnesses.  Immediately, it sounds scary but don't be nervous.  There are mats below and the walls don't usually exceed fifteen feet.  Of course, this is still very dangerous; you must learn to fall properly and learn when to go for it and when to back away.   This is the hardest part, differentiating real fear with inflated fear.

The best climbers all remark that they have no fear of heights.  I can't say the same.  But I will admit to my growing comfort in precarious positions on the wall.  At least now I don't cling like a baby monkey to it's mothers back, as I ascend, descend, or measure a move.  Now, I go for it with less hesitation.

I've learned so much from climbing.  The discipline required and commitment needed to improve have kept me hooked; every day I climb I improve.  And the beauty of the improvement isn't always strength related.  You must learn how to move and strangely develop the capacity to dance on the wall.  The ultimate goal being a methodological, beautiful climb--effortless and smooth.

Leaving out metaphors and similes, I want to encourage you to find an activity or discipline to follow.  Fall into a new passion, something that requires time, challenges you, distracts you from life, refocuses your mind, and leaves you feeling accomplished and hungry for more every time.

Character

My grandfather always said to me:

-KEEP A GOOD NAME-

I've carried this with me all my life.  Always remembering to act and speak responsibly.  Always being considerate to others while striving to leave the best impression.

When people think of you it is not your income, house, or car that grabs their attention.  The real focus is on how you make them feel.  Your NAME, your Character impacts people on the most personal level.

Every interaction you have with people produces an emotional reaction and a lasting impression with them.  That is why it is important to know the secrets to displaying your best Character Traits. 

CHARACTER GUIDELINES:

• Attitude and Posture: how you carry yourself, stand, and approach others.
• Acknowledge the existence of others: say hello and smile.
• Remember facts told to you by people.  And repeat them back.  You care enough to remember.
• Ask Personal Questions.
• Eye Contact! 
• Smile Often.
• Say the person's name as often as possible.
• Open Doors.
• Be available but display your busyness at all times.  This shows you would go out of your way to help.
• Don't Gossip.
• Be goofy, spontaneous, and fun to be around.  Levity is always appreciated.
• Keep Good Company.  People judge you by your friends.

This is just a jump off point for you.  By now you've already established a NAME for yourself.  But it is never too late to shine and polish your character a little.  Think of these Guidelines as a good reminder to the importance of your words and action in every interaction.

Be a light.  Be warm.  Loving.  Funny.  Remember-able.  And Full of Life.