This makes me think about it from a new frame: it’s not about how good the experience is, but about how good of a mindset/perception we choose to have.
Oh man, I’ve been living this realization all summer long, since I’ve been trying to climb a mountain every week. Twice I have gone to trails that were designated as the best something, and twice I’ve been horrified to find myself surrounded by people posing with their back to whatever sight they were seeking, taking selfies. Ah well, you live and your learn. A week ago we drove by the “best” trailhead, overloaded with cars, and continued on several more miles to a lesser known trail. We were the only car there, saw two other hiking parties the whole day. It was fabulous.
So awesome, Tom. Thank you for sharing. It’s funny that we can drive ourselves crazy trying to get “the best” when there are options available that are “worse” (not really) we would enjoy 100x more. Keep on climbing!
Always love your short stories and lessons. I always laugh when I see one of those ice cream shops with a line that extends around the whole block and into the next one. And then I'll see a place across the street where you can get ice cream that's 90% as good (or better) without any of the waiting and competing.
Funny thing is how insanely awesome the pic you included is, and clearly this led to some beauty you wouldn't have experienced if you just went on the overly trodden trails.
Jack! I’m working my way through a backlog (I stopped reading much while I was trying to get an essay published) and I’m so pleased I Reives at yours this morning. One thing that is so wonderful for you, is that you see this distinction today at your age, vs age 60 when, looking back you might have made so many choices differently.
What also came to mind for me as I’ve written my last two essays on my deceased parents, is that we chose so many “good” and even “bad” things to do together along the way-I can think of motels we stayed in that had fleas-and the “best” part was experiencing whatever it was, together, fully present.
All the choices that we label good, bad, best, mediocre, they were just the conduit for was was actually best, which was the relationship time with others, or ourself, or nature, etc.
I love that you’re still out here sharing your perspectives with the world 😊. They make a difference.
…let’s be 100…even a bad hike is a good hike…
This makes me think about it from a new frame: it’s not about how good the experience is, but about how good of a mindset/perception we choose to have.
Oh man, I’ve been living this realization all summer long, since I’ve been trying to climb a mountain every week. Twice I have gone to trails that were designated as the best something, and twice I’ve been horrified to find myself surrounded by people posing with their back to whatever sight they were seeking, taking selfies. Ah well, you live and your learn. A week ago we drove by the “best” trailhead, overloaded with cars, and continued on several more miles to a lesser known trail. We were the only car there, saw two other hiking parties the whole day. It was fabulous.
So awesome, Tom. Thank you for sharing. It’s funny that we can drive ourselves crazy trying to get “the best” when there are options available that are “worse” (not really) we would enjoy 100x more. Keep on climbing!
Beautiful.
Thanks for reading, Randall!
Always love your short stories and lessons. I always laugh when I see one of those ice cream shops with a line that extends around the whole block and into the next one. And then I'll see a place across the street where you can get ice cream that's 90% as good (or better) without any of the waiting and competing.
Funny thing is how insanely awesome the pic you included is, and clearly this led to some beauty you wouldn't have experienced if you just went on the overly trodden trails.
Jack! I’m working my way through a backlog (I stopped reading much while I was trying to get an essay published) and I’m so pleased I Reives at yours this morning. One thing that is so wonderful for you, is that you see this distinction today at your age, vs age 60 when, looking back you might have made so many choices differently.
What also came to mind for me as I’ve written my last two essays on my deceased parents, is that we chose so many “good” and even “bad” things to do together along the way-I can think of motels we stayed in that had fleas-and the “best” part was experiencing whatever it was, together, fully present.
All the choices that we label good, bad, best, mediocre, they were just the conduit for was was actually best, which was the relationship time with others, or ourself, or nature, etc.
I love that you’re still out here sharing your perspectives with the world 😊. They make a difference.
Love this!