We experience discord of challenges throughout our lives. Our minds, bodies, environment and other people must synchronize in order to reach our destination. What if we are tested and face plant? What if we are intermediate level and find ourselves on double black? What if something in our path is too big to plow through? What if it’s too steep and we tumble down the mountain?
Some take the safe route to avoid failure, but seldom reach the finish line.
Now visualize a different outcome. Exhilarating journeys could take us to places we have never seen or imagined. The exertion may be terrifying and thrilling. Afterward, our hearts will pound and our exhausted muscles will burn. The experience of success will build confidence. We will be eager to take on the next challenge.
It’s your choice. Talk yourself out of taking risks or imagine an adventure where all the moving parts work together in perfect harmony.
All you need are four little words:
“I can do this.”
Take in the beauty around you and…
GO!
How do you seek harmony in your life? Do you enjoy a sport? When was the last time you crashed and burned?
This is a response to the Weekly Photo Challenge – Harmony.
Susie Lindau's Wild Ride 
Excellent encouragement. Beautiful photos. Thank you Susie, good timing. ❤️
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Thanks, John! I just got back from skiing and faced fear a few times this afternoon. Ha!
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Now I want to go skiing! Wonderful post and loving the photos.
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Thanks so much! I just got back from skiing Breck. Great times, but like always, there were those hairy moments. I just kee looking down the mountain.
There’s still time to get out and ski…. 🙂
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Hey! I needed this. I keep asking myself whether I can do this writing lark, A very inspirational post – thx
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Thank you so much!
Ironically your comment is the fuel I need to keep blogging! Comments are my greatest motivator. I LOVE it when someone relates.
I’ve hit my walls and querying agents for selling my book has been more than challenging. I believe if I keep working hard on improving my craft, something will happen. *crosses fingers, toes and eyes*
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Love your attitude and the photos. I completely agree, EXCEPT when it comes to skiing. Funny story: I grew up in the Adirondack mountains of northern New York. I skied a little. The first thing I did when I moved to Boulder was to drive to Eldora where I gasped and said absolutely not to ever skiing in Colorado!!
Taking a big risk was getting in the car and driving across country to make a life in Boulder in the first place. I never regretted saying no to skiing.
You go, though, girl!! 🙂
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Ha! Mary, you trusted your instinct. Skiing isn’t for everyone. I wish I would have known you back then. We could have found some adventure at lower altitude, I’m sure. 🙂
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If not for the riptide warnings and the fact that I’m eating a plate of scrumptious crackers and cheese, I would be sooooo inspired by your post to run and jump in the gulf. Don’t worry, your words will stay with me and inspire me…would you like a cracker?
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I would love a cracker and a dip in the ocean. Not too far out though. Rips and tides do not make good bedfellows. 🙂
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Love your take on Harmony Susie! My failed consultancy comes to mind. I have no regrets though. I’m glad I tried. ❤
Diana xo\
Actually it did not fail in giving sound and profitable counsel to the non profits I worked with, it failed in earning me enough money to live. 🙂
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You understand exactly what I’m talking about. It’s that old expression- Better to have tried and failed than not have tried at all. And it sounds like, in a way, you succeeded! 🙂
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Visualizing things going right !! And always worth the risk!
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That is most excellent! It is always worth the risk of being outside your comfort zone. Besides as a writer, I have more stories to tell.
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Well I an’t WAIT for new stories! Keep us posted!
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I will! Thanks so much, Oracle!
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I think it was Teddy Roosevelt that said that the tragedy is not failing, instead the tragedy is never trying
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I am reminded of ted Roosevelt’s speech called it’s not the critic that counts.
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Love that one! Sometimes it takes guts and what some would call, an ego, but I don’t think it’s ego as much as being willing to try even if there is risk involved. I don’t think big egos would risk being made a fool of, do you?
Thanks so much!
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Taking the challenge is always the more interesting way to go. I think it’s good as long as you recognize things that you really are physically unable to do. I like your sentence:Some take the safe route to avoid failure, but seldom reach the finish line. That is so “on the mark!”
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Thanks Anneli!
I equated it to skiing and sports in general, but really I find so much of writing very much about risk-taking like querying agents, getting work critiqued and the ultimate – When my book finally hits the shelves and the critics weigh in. Not for the faint of heart. 🙂
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That’s for sure. You have to forget about your ego.
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Yes, “I can do this” – the most uplifting and beautiful example of the famous last words. 🙂
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Hahahaha! Still laughing. You are good, X.
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I love a good challenge although I do think it is important to know your limitations. I have seen way too many people in over their heads on the side of a mountain. Looks like a magnificent blue sky day in your photos! Fantastic!
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Thanks, Mary!
I’ve been on the side of that mountain on a ledge with snow shuffling off beneath me and no where to go. The only way is up! I also equated this with professions and big decisions. Most play it safe, but the biggest rewards come from the biggest risk. Don’t you think?
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Your post reminds me of the time I took a gondola to the top of a mountain in Aspen Colorado. I’m scared to death of heights and so this was a big leap for me. I spent most of the journey with my eyes closed but every now and then I did peek. Okay, I’m just not that brave!
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That’s where Danny asked me to marry him. Absolutely gorgeous views. Luckily, being a skier, I’m not afraid of heights.
Thanks for stopping by!
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every day… baby steps and yes you can– we can
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WE CAN!!! Upward, onward, and forward, my friend!!
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Thanks for the piping hot inspiration for breakfast, Susie! Lovely images that match those words too!
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Thanks Uma! Blending the photo prompt, harmony, with skiing was a stretch. Ha!
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You always make me feel a sense of adventure even if I’m not going anywhere!
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The Wild Ride is here for that exact reason, Julie. Thank you!
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Lovely mountain views(and more snow on the way?) We’re springing it already here…a little longer chill preferred with mosquito threat – but I refuse to leave the door open and air condition the outside (Mom used to complain about that when we were kids)
I’ve always just thrown myself down the mountains. You crash now and then, but the speed, wind, rush, and getting there one way or the other is worth it. (Of course it’s easier if you are younger HA HA.)
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And we healed quicker!
We could use some snow. March is our snowiest month, so there’s still time.
Down here in Boulder, spring is in full swing. I hope the buds don’t get nipped like last year.
Thanks, Phil!
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Enjoy a sport? What is this foreign concept of which you speak? Sports have always been something inflicted on me by evil PE teachers or overly peppy friends! It’s a foregone conclusion that I’ll crash and burn when I try something sporty. That being said, I live a harmonious, often clumsy, life– and I like your inspirational attitude here. Stumbling ever onward, go I– while you go swooshing down the mountainside.
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That’s right! We need to go for it or we will sit and wonder, “What if…”
I am hoping for harmonious year for you too!
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The most harmonious I have ever been with nature was a hot air balloon ride along the Blue Ridge mountains in autumn. It is also the quietest I have ever been, except for the occasional blast from the gas canister to keep us aloft. There is no wind effect because you are the wind!
Great post and beautiful pictures. Your hubby was smart. Who could say no in those environs?
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Thanks Al! Hot air ballooning is on my bucket list. I never thought about the lack of wind. That would be very serene.
There is a lot of adventure to be had out here in the West. I’m glad I’m healthy again and can experience it!
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Great attitude. I probably take risks where I shouldn’t and don’t where I do! Ah well.
I’m still pining for the snow that we haven’t had for three years here! I need snow in my life.
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Oh, no! Dang global warming! It has been dry the last few weeks. I can’t wait for one of those massive March or April storms. As long as the cold weather is over by May. Everything got nipped last year. No fruit!
I know what you mean about risk. I keep thinking positive and have gone for it within reason. No terrain park for me this year!
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I said, “We can do this,” the day we took ownership of our B & B. Good thing we didn’t crash and burn.
I love your skiing photos. I’d have been right there along side you saying, “I can do this.”
Have a great week, Susie.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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Thanks Patricia! I’m so glad you went for it. Your B & B sounds so beautiful! I hope I get to see it someday.
Upward, onward and forward!
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These were some great pics Susie…your back yard again? Dude and what you said couldn’t have been more on point and relevant to me at this fork in the road. Very inspirational. Thanks for the message and for the great pics! Oh! And I was totally thinking about you yesterday, did you see or DVR the Peyton Manning press conference? Duuuuuuude.
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Sort of my backyard in Breckenridge. We have views of the ski resort, but live on Baldy mountain above the town. Thanks so much!
I missed the Manning interview. My mom is in town and we have been on the move! How was it?
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About six years ago, Mrs Widds and I took ourselves off on a four day bicycle trip. We took a ferry to one of the islands on the south coast of BC and rode from one side to the other. There two routes. One that went round the island, pretty much at sea level and the other one that went up one side of the mountain in the middle of the island and down the other.
We did the mountain one going there and the coast route coming back.
We walked up most of the honking great mountain, it was so steep, but the down side … That was the fun bit! 🙂 We couldn’t ride our brakes, the friction would burn them out before we got half way down. So it was a matter of just letting go and rolling on down the road at break-neck speed. What a rush! No turning back, no turning aside, no stopping. until we got to the bottom.
We had checked out the route on Google maps beforehand so we knew there weren’t any nasty switchbacks or gravel, but that was based on a satellite image taken two years previously. We had no idea if we’d reach the bottom of the mountain in one piece.
We did! 😀
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Woohoo! That sounds a WILD RIDE for sure! Wow. Those kind of experiences really show what you are made of. Many could never “let go.”
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Excellent… And, if I may say, the journey is the destination
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EXACTLY!!! That’s the best part. It’s always worth the effort.
Thanks for stopping by, Rajiv!
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Thank you for this timely post, Susie.
As you know, I’ve been burning and crashing A LOT lately, (when it comes to my hopes and dreams, that is), but my personal life is filled with victories that sustain me through these failures.
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Crashing and burning means you’re trying. IT’S ALL GOOD! If we don’t crash while skiing or double fault in tennis, we’re not taking chances and that’s the only way to improve. It’s the same with writing. I am all about taking criticism and rewriting. My manuscript’s best criticism has come in rejection letters. I have rewritten it several times since the last one. We’ll see if this is the revision that sells! But if I get another great suggestion, I’ll rewrite it again.
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