Katherine Keith's Blog, page 2
October 12, 2019
Life is in the Detours: October 12th, 2019
On a dog team, running all night and into morning, the great benefit is bearing witness to the arctic sky’s transformations.
The extreme seasonal variations, experienced only at high latitudes, reward hardy residents with stunning daily displays of lights, clouds, colors, and magic that comprise the Arctic sky. Leaving the rest of us to gaze in stupefied wonder at the glowing orb.
Standing on the runners, I lay back and gaze around at the symphony of orchestrated textures, colors, and lights. The dogs travel silently through the night as if not wanting to disturb the conductor.
In the here and now, out on the ice, I believe in a God. Not one I need to define, worship, or evangelize but the truth is undeniably palpable.
Life is in the Details: October 11th, 2019
To act with authenticity demands that we stand firm in our truth with conviction in a manner that is constant and empowering. When our actions are congruent with our words, we can stand firm in our truth as an old white oak tree with deep taproots stands against hurricane force winds.
Without authenticity, allowing yourself to live for the approval of others will offer you neither confidence nor happiness given the fickle nature of public opinion which is like a hybrid of a birch and a redbud tree. Shallow and short lived.
Society may have temporary power to build up a reputation, but it can just as easily tear it down. Just as winners record history which, we all know, does not equate to truth.
An individual standing firm in their authentic truth has inherent personal power which society’s whims cannot reduce though, given the ability of society to make life difficult for those who swim upstream, we should respect.
Be authentic and stay rooted, like that oak tree, in your truth but be mindful of society’s whims so as not to be crucified unintentionally.
October 10, 2019
Life is in the Detours: October 10th, 2019
Metamorphosis biologically transforms life forms into states of existence previously believed the be impossible. Evolution is the change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over generations that transforms species over time through natural selection to compete, survive, and reproduce.
Biology synchronizes with Buddhism in that everything changes, adapts, and transforms itself. Nothing lasts forever. The concept of impermanence is the cornerstone of Buddhist teachings. Ironically, it is the law of impermanence that is enduring. Change is a fact of life.
All physical and mental states that come into being, are born, change, and then die. Our bodies are born, age continuously, then perish. Mentally, our thoughts arise then fade to the next topic before vanishing.
Change is going to happen. Do you want to be a victim of it or dictate the terms of the path ahead of you? If there are changes that you want to make in your life recognize it isn’t going to happen overnight. It is the subtle small transformations that create the final results that you want to achieve.
The ripple effect of your efforts will become unstoppable and you will transform into an unstoppable force of nature, a tidal wave charging toward your dreams.
October 9, 2019
October 8, 2019
Life is in the Detours: October 8th, 2019
The 1,000 mile Yukon Quest sled dog race is known for its many challenging summits foremost of which is Eagle Summit. There are thirteen tripods which lead up a thirty degree climb up the side of a mountain.
Some say it is the hardest section of the trail out of any sled dog race-anywhere. The crux of the climb is an exceedingly steep head wall of at least 250 vertical feet over 500 feet.
Eagle Summit requires teamwork-all of us working as a unit in sync with each other. The leaders, Blonde and Joy, are driving the team up and over the summit, the team dogs are matched in stride, and I am running alongside pushing the sled to do my part. Life doesn’t get any better than this.
There are many examples of teamwork in nature: ants share heavy loads, bees collect and store nectar, and killer whales coordinate for education of their young and hunting. Going solo in the wild may feel freeing and simple but it may not ensure survival or even an easier workload.
This is a lesson I need to remember when work and social pressures build.
When you most want to seek shelter to lick your wounds - find your pack.
October 7, 2019
Life is in the Detours: October 7th, 2019
Snow is falling for the first time this autumn. Mixed with rain, combined with the gusts up to 40 mph, it hits all that stands in its way at a 45-degree angle. We have a choice-stay inside with a hot cup of coffee or take advantage of that costly winter gear and explore.
Behind Kotzebue, the arctic cotton grass, dwarf birch, and arctic willow stand firm in defiance at the winter assault. The cemetery stands guard over the town below. Reduced visibility has one guessing at what lies beyond the edges.
This cemetery is magnificent, not for an artificial facade and landscaped gardens, but for its testament of a people who chose to go exploring when the temperatures fell, and winds howled… they prevailed.
Wrinkles on my weather-beaten face and hands mirror untold stories of those in the frozen ground whose crosses and headstones bear the same aged features. Wrinkles of joy and creases of laughter join in to create the landscape of this face.
With today’s world of Botox and ageless beauty, are we too quick to dye gray hair and remove the well-earned crow’s feet that portray a remarkable life lived?
October 6, 2019
Life is in the Detours: October 6th, 2019
Yearning for adventure it is hard to sit still. Looking out the window, nothing on the calendar, expeditions seem distant. Edgy, cagy, pacing, unable able to escape, I seek a way out of this box into the wild beyond. There is freedom in wilderness. Room to breathe and be authentic.
“A world without wilderness is a cage.” - Dave Brower.
Sleeping outside isn’t a privilege but a necessity.
There is nothing worse, after days of falling asleep by a babbling brook and waking up to a choir chirping birds, than to go inside a house with insulated walls and an obstructive roof.
This torturous invention, a cage, a box, prevents you from seeing or hearing anything of importance
I fight against the urge to put my tent up in the back yard if only because in agreeing to live in a neighborhood of people I have inherently accepted their set of societal norms.
It may be a few more days before I explode, but there is no mistaking that wilderness is a requirement for sanity. Where we have anxiety, depression, and hate, this ‘lack of wildness’ is undiagnosed in many others.
Make time to free yourself and find a bit of nature.
