Breaking Trail
This year, one of my declarations was that I would become a well-read entrepreneur and thought leader. In order to support this declaration, I committed to the practice of reading one book at a time (actual reading - audio books are in a separate category. We can debate this another time). I give myself a chapter or two to decide if the content is speaking to me. Then, I either intentionally put it aside for another time, or commit to finishing the book. As of this post, I have completed 3 full books (one of which was on the verge of the parking lot almost every chapter)! I have always loved reading, but I am a slow reader and am used to being engaged with multiple books at a time (ADHD at work). I have not yet developed a strong, non-negotiable reading habit, but this practice has been amazingly fruitful. The first book I completed in 2023 was Breaking Trail - A Climbing Life, written by Arlene Blum. This post is not meant to be a book review, but I wanted to share a bit about the insights I gained, and the creativity that it sparked.
My husband is an outdoor enthusiast and loves anything related to climbing. This was a borrowed book from him. It sparked my interest because it was written by a woman who “defied the climbing establishment of the 1970’s by leading the first all-female teams on successful ascents of Mt. McKinley and Annapurna, and was the first American woman to attempt Mt. Everest. At the same time, her groundbreaking scientific work challenged gender stereotypes in the academic community.” I know very little about climbing, and I am not a scientist, but this book spoke to me in so many ways. It helped me think about commitment and service in a more holistic way. It also helped me think more deeply about the importance of planning and preparation, not just to achieve your goals and dreams, but to enable the breaking of barriers that lead to a legacy and a fulfilled life.
I have been through a myriad of struggles in the last few years, both personally and in my marriage. We embrace the reality of it all now because we know we are commited to doing the work, and that rainbows are coming. Anyone that has a relationship with any other humxn knows that sometimes you just aren’t able to speak the same language. Being commited to finishing this book and making space for the insights gave me some language to connect more deeply with my partner. I wrote the poem below for my husband and me, and want to share it with you now as a guide to expanding your capacity to Be Well, Do Well, and Do More Good.
This year, we must embody experienced alpine climbers
Gather good beta
Make plans
Take “reasonable” risks
Make solid decisions - individually and as a team
Take action calmly and swiftly
Step - Breathe
Step - Breathe
Step - Breathe
Celebrate with chocolate
This one is dedicated to my loving husband, and gifted to all of you that are feeling that you might be ready to break some trail. Set your own declarations and share them with me. Reach out if you want an accountability partner.
Be Well!
💛 CKO