The Snow, The Water, It's All The Same

The snow season is inching its way into the world again. On an average day on the mountain, I spend the first half easily carving wide S's in the snow, staying off my ass, and enjoying some leisurely speed. The second half is most different; this is the time that I acquire plenty of bruises, and test the limits of my ability.

The way I see it, a lift ticket is plenty expensive, so I better learn something from the day - get better at snowboarding though practice. So the second half is full of foolhardy maneuvers that combine speed, jumps, different stances, and a reckless abandon for safety. I consciously better myself.

These two are worth a listen:

Here and here.

It's true. You do have to force yourself to remember the things you've learned, and force yourself out of those ideas, and grow. You have to choose to learn and be better, instead of playing it safe and comfortable.

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Jaymay - Color Confused

Ending Note: Snow day in Sundance?

Assault Leads To Good, Kinda

At lunch today, and found this to be quite uplifting.

Two reasons to be positive about this story...

A man acted on his principles and instinct, to do what he felt was right at the time. This same man, realized his error in the matter, and has gone to great lengths to make things right; clear the wrong, and assume responsibility. His actions after the incident are rare to witness, and should be commended.

In the time of professional athletes shooting themselves in the leg, getting in fights, and just plain being criminals and thugs, one of them kept his cool, and followed the procedure of social and legal action instead of flying off the handle.

Good job folks.

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Scrabbel - Mr. Blue

Ending Note: I love football season.

Calibration of Clarity

Found the above in the the computer, and have no idea what job it was from, who took it, or when.

The past really seems to fold over on itself, always getting a little smaller, a bit more compact as time moves on. This job at The Shop accentuates this effect even more so; routine, day to day, activities mix up the memories and blur the edges.

It may be the age too, but I've found it takes a hell of a lot more concentration to make sense of the past. Thankfully, the present it easier to decipher with wisdom, and the future comes off less daunting.

Clarity is rare. Focus often, or you just might lose it.

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Death Cab For Cutie - Brothers On A Hotel Bed

Ending Note: Sundance prep underway. Gotta love Sundance.

The Anatomy of Principles

Principles are tricky things. The entire basis of a principle blends unwavering resolve with fluid judgement of variables. Those that do it right, are never at an impasse; think of a strict principle that you believe you would always stand by.

"I would never buy an SUV."

You're stranded in a small village where the only two working vehicles are SUV's, that you cannot borrow, but must purchase for use. If you do not cross the desert by nightfall, a man will die.

Take the same statement, but apply it to your life as it lies at this very moment. More than likely, you're a young professional, with a perfectly running vehicle, in a city with public transportation, and mild climate. More than likely, yes, you would never, and have no reason to every purchase an SUV.

Variables. Situation. Adaptivity to the given circumstances. You cannot ever hold true to a principle absolutely, but you can hold true to your principles.

To be a person of faith, or a dear friend, or a leader, or a confidant, you must hold to your principles wholly, without lax or doubt. Your morale constitution must be stout, and courage despite doom or ill will, unquestionable. These are strict guidelines, but guidelines nonetheless. 

What allows for these excursions from your set principles then; to be truthful to your beliefs, yet allow for your beliefs to bend without breaking. 

Principles are not all equal.

"I don't eat non-organic foods."

"I do not kill babies."

Two, very, different levels of principles. Would you eat a farm-raised salmon to save an infant's life? Would you take a life to enjoy an organic meal? 

The greatest measurement of one's resolve is what principle sits atop all the others in their life. For some it's money. For others, love. Loyalty. Public regard. Survival. Happiness.

Principles may be the most important part of being an individual, but careful you don't choose them and make bars instead of paths.

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Horse Feathers - Mother's Sick

Ending Note: Draw up your own Principles Pyramid. You may just learn something about yourself.