Metaphoric Climb of New Years Morning

By Jami Scholl | January 6, 2011 | 3:52 am | Comment (1) |

New Years Day last year I decided to change this whole resolution making thing to something else, something meaningful to me. I did as many of the things I love to do most all in that one day. For 2011 I decided to change this idea a bit more, to metaphorically experience a quality I wanted more of in myself – Red-Tailed Hawk Vision!

I pictured myself as a red-tailed hawk, revered for their keen vision to see the landscape wholistically, yet with the ability to focus sharply on small things, to have good depth perception, strength of will, good judgment, decisiveness. For 2011 I wanted to more truly and fully incorporate this type of vision in my own life… metaphorically this would be met by climbing this fire tower in the Charles Deem Wilderness Area.

I stood below the tower, this is what I saw as I looked up – a whole lot of metal in pattern. Life is pattern. Nature is pattern. History is pattern and so are each one of us, from the detail of circles in the steps to the overall structure. Even the switchbacks and landings were familiar to how life seems to proceed. Although the way appear perilous in our exposure, we keep climbing.

I reached the tops of the trees where the wind became stronger. Cold breezes bit through the fabric of my jacket. I paused to catch my breath once, twice, but the higher I climbed the less incentive I had to turn around. Fear crept in as wind when the breezes became stronger. I anticipated the swaying. But the structure did not. I climbed to the top where the wind was still present, yet became a part of the exhilaration, the experience.

The view from the top. I think about the creatures who find shelter and sustenance here, even when it seems barren, cold. Hills and steep areas, dormant trees and some evergreens, distance of azure create the scene. I then think about how landscape affects people, not only in the visual sense, but how they live, what they eat, how they prepare it. Shelter, language, art, perceptions, social customs are other things that are different when thinking about other cultures… how much of this is affected by landscape, climate? Ahhh… foodscaping. Yes!

One step away from the descent, I hesitate, not wanting to leave although chilled in the morning air. I have found that there are times when the way is steep, when going down appears more treacherous than the climb. This metaphor… that going forward and up may be less scary than returning to the beginning, that work and risk-taking in comparison to comfort and complacency is really living. Meaning and joy are found when we work from our strengths.

It all begins with one small step, and then another, and another. Wings seem to sprout as confidence grows, looking at where we started brings mixed feelings: longing, appreciation, self-congratulation at our own accomplishments, and deeper feelings to the commitment of flying. My Edible Eden is my purpose, what is yours?

Comment (1) | | Categories: metaphor | Tags: Empowerment, metaphor