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Today's
Meditation:
I've always had a less-than-strong relationship with
the idea of "conquering" anything. I think
that we tend to adopt certain vocabulary simply because
it's convenient and because we haven't really thought
about what things mean in any deep and significant
manner. The truth is, though, that people don't
conquer things like mountains-- we may conquer our fears in
order to climb them, or our limitations or our
preconceived notions, but we certainly cannot
"conquer" a mountain.
I love Arlene's complete acceptance of the idea of the
transitory nature of all that we do, even our most vaunted
accomplishments. No matter what we do, eventually
the wind and the rain and the sun will wash away all
indication that we've ever been where we've been at
all. We may think that we've made a lasting mark,
but really we've made a miniscule mark that won't last
long-- and not only is that okay, but it's the way things
should be. We aren't meant to be permanent fixtures
on this planet, and I think this world would be a much
better place if more people simply were to accept that
fact.
Can we leave behind the need to "conquer"?
Can we not feel that it's important that we
"defeat" and always "battle
against"? Can't we work with, cooperate with,
and enjoy the company of? To me, climbing a mountain
is much more fun if I enjoy the journey and all that the
mountain offers me: beauty and challenge and
obstacles that help me to grow stronger. Even if I
don't make it to the peak, I can still get tons out of a
climbing expedition, can't I?
I'm fine with standing at the peak for a few moments, or
even a few hours, and then letting the wind wipe away any
trace that I've ever been there. I don't make myself
a better person by using the word
"conquer." Heck, I'll even try not to
leave any trace, and I'll wipe away my tracks before I
leave, and not tell anyone that I climbed it-- the growth
is in the journey and the experience, not in making sure
that others know what I've done.
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